Austria secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Poland in a Group D clash at Euro 2024, with goals from Gernot Trauner, Christoph Baumgartner, and Marko Arnautovic. Trauner opened the scoring for Austria in the ninth minute with a header from a Phillipp Mwene cross, but Poland leveled the score through Krzysztof Piatek. Baumgartner and Arnautovic then found the back of the net in the second half to seal the win for Austria, moving them level on points with France and Netherlands at the top of the group. Poland, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the group and are now out of the tournament.
Austria put on an impressive performance against Poland, living up to the expectations set by their strong results leading up to the tournament. Coach Ralf Rangnick emphasized the importance of the match against Poland, likening it to a knockout tie, and his side delivered with a high-energy display that Poland struggled to match. Despite the introduction of Robert Lewandowski from the bench, Poland failed to gain control of the game, while Austria’s aggressive press and fearless approach proved effective. Austria have now lost just two of their previous 18 internationals, showcasing their strength as a team.
Christoph Baumgartner, the 24-year-old midfielder from RB Leipzig, was named the player of the match for his outstanding performance. Baumgartner, who embodies the style and tactical approach implemented by Rangnick, scored Austria’s crucial second goal and put in a classy yet high-energy display throughout the match. Meanwhile, the player ratings for Poland and Austria highlighted standout performances from key players on both teams, with Baumgartner, Marcel Sabitzer, and Stefan Lainer earning high marks for Austria.
In terms of match highlights, Austria’s early goal by Trauner set the tone for the game, but Poland quickly responded with Piatek finding the equalizer. Baumgartner’s goal in the second half, followed by Arnautovic’s penalty, secured the victory for Austria and highlighted their clinical finishing. The match showcased the relentless pace and end-to-end action that characterized the contest between the two teams, with Austria ultimately coming out on top with a well-deserved win.
Looking ahead, Austria will face Netherlands in their next match, while Poland will meet France as Group D approaches its climax. With Austria in contention for a spot in the knockout stages, their upcoming match against Netherlands will be crucial in determining their fate in the tournament. Meanwhile, Poland will aim to salvage some pride in their final game against France, despite already being eliminated from the competition.
