Turkey had an unlikely hero to thank as the Crescent-Stars edged out Austria 2-1 in their Euro 2024 last-16 showdown at the Red Bull Arena. In a tie that pitted the unexpected Group D winners against the Group F runners-up, Vincenzo Montella 's side - without inspirational midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu - took the lead courtesy of Merih Demiral scoring the second-fastest goal in Euros history, netting inside just 57 seconds. Das Team's response was bright before becoming futile for the remainder of the first half, and they were undone by another Arda Guler corner to Demiral early in the second 45 before substitute Michael Gregoritsch set up an unmissable finale.
Turkey were camped inside their own half in the final 20 minutes as Ralf Rangnick 's men threw the kitchen sink at them, but a combination of dogged Turkish defending and wasteful Austrian deliveries ended the Crescent-Stars' 16-year exile from the Euros quarters. For Austria, a quarter-final place still eludes them as they are left to rue their second straight last-16 exit, although Das Team can reflect on the green shoots of positivity from their Euro 2024 campaign as Turkey prepare for a date with the Dutch. TURKEY SCORE INSIDE 57 SECONDS 🇹🇷 What a start to the game 🤩 #Euro2024 | #AUSTUR pic.
twitter.com/iFfBpyal7d Many had backed the final last-16 tie of the Euros to be a chaotic affair brimming with early goalmouth action, and the first five minutes - or 57 seconds to be more precise - certainly lived up to .
