After defeating the Netherlands to advance to the round of 16, Austria delivered a performance of such magnitude that it will undoubtedly draw attention from other teams at Euro 2024.
Raul Rangnick's team won two of their three games to take the lead in the rankings despite suffering a difficult tie against the Dutch and France.
The Netherlands will advance as one of the top third-place teams, with France in second place, even though they had already assured their spot in the round of sixteen.
Austria played with spirit and drive the entire game, and they had great tenacity to reply to the Netherlands' quick start to the second half. Marcel Sabitzer's goal sealed the victory for Austria, which was well-deserved.
Donyell Malen's header from Alexander Prass's risky cross gave the Austrians a six-minute lead.
Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic had opportunities for Rangnick's team to extend their lead, but the Netherlands tied the score after just 75 seconds of play in the second half.
In the second half, the Netherlands came out swinging and equalized through a superb finish by Cody Gakpo.
The game picked more speed as Virgil van Dijk's header went over the crossbar, but Austria managed to hang on.
However, Austria persevered and seized the lead again thanks to a strong header from Romano Schmid that Stefan de Vrij was only able to assist over the line.
After Memphis Depay's close-range volley eluded the video assistant referee's check for a handball, the Dutch appeared to have gained a draw. However, Sabitzer had the last say when he broke through and drove into the roof of the net, thrilling the Austrian fans.
Kylian Mbappe scored his first-ever goal at the Euros while wearing a mask, but Poland, who had already been eliminated, held France to a draw to secure second place in Group D.
Mbappe's penalty kick 11 minutes into the second half was nullified by Robert Lewandowski's penalty kick in the 79th minute, but France still needed all three points to secure the top spot.
Didier Deschamps' team, who are currently in the same half of the draw as Portugal, Spain, and Germany, will face the winner of Group E.
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