Robert Lewandowski (front, 2nd L) of Poland celebrates scoring during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
BERLIN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Austria won Group D after Marcel Sabitzer's late 3-2 winner stunned the Netherlands whereas Robert Lewandowski helped Poland hold France to a 1-1 stalemate in the last round of group play on Tuesday.
The Netherlands caught the worst possible start at Berlin Olympia stadium as Donyell Malen cleared Alexanders Prass' square pass into the wrong goal, giving Austria a 1-0 lead with six minutes played.
The Dutchmen responded well and tried to restore parity, but Tijjani Reijnders squandered two promising opportunities as the match progressed.
Austria remained dangerous though as Sabitzer tested goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen with a low shot in the 38th minute.
The Netherlands caught a perfect start two minutes into the second half as Xavi Simons initiated a counterattack before feeding Cody Gakpo, who curled the ball into the far post corner with a well-placed shot.
It was a short-lived joy for Ronald Koeman's men as Austria bounced back and took the lead again after Florian Grillitsch's pinpoint cross allowed Romano Schmid to nod home at the hour mark.
The Netherlands remained unimpressed and made it two all with 75 minutes gone as Memphis Depay tapped home Wout Weghort's assist by header.
Austria had the last laugh and clinched the group win after Sabitzer finished off Christoph Baumgartner's good build-up work from tight angle to round off the 3-2 victory.
"The team showed a great will today. They always came back and that against a strong opponent which is remarkable. In the end, we secured a deserved victory here. It is unbelievable that we have won this group after staring with a defeat," said Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick.
In the other Group D clash, France failed to secure the group win as veteran striker Robert Lewandowski cancelled out Kylian Mbappe's opener to ensure a 1-1 draw.
With the result, Austria finished the group atop the standings with six points, followed by France (5 points), the Netherlands (4 points) and Poland (1 point).
"I would like to thank the fans for showing up today despite us being eliminated. We fought until the end, and we had some really good spells," said Poland coach Michal Probierz. ■
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Kylian Mbappe (front) of France shoots to score during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Robert Lewandowski (1st L) of Poland shoots the penalty kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Kylian Mbappe of France reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates scoring during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Players of France line up before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Patrick Wimmer (1st R) of Austria shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Marcel Sabitzer (R) of Austria celebrates after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Referee Ivan Kruzliak (R) awards a goal to the Netherlands scored by Memphis Depay after checking the VAR monitor during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Fans of Austria are seen after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Marcel Sabitzer of Austria celebrates scoring during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Memphis Depay (front) of the Netherlands celebrates scoring during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Nathan Ake (R) of the Netherlands competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Memphis Depay (R) of the Netherlands competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Cody Gakpo (R) of the Netherlands celebrates with teammates during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Virgil van Dijk (top, C) of the Netherlands competes for a header during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Patrick Pentz (3rd R), goalkeeper of Austria, makes a save during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Memphis Depay (4th R) of the Netherlands shoots to score during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands reacts after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Players of Austria celebrate the own goal from Donyell Malen of the Netherlands during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Goalkeeper Patrick Pentz (1st L) of Austria fails to make a save during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Players of Austria line up before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Marcel Sabitzer of Austria celebrates scoring during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Players of the Netherlands line up before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
