The Olympic Stadium in Berlin was the venue when Poland confronted Austria within the EC’s second group stage, on Friday night. Each nationwide groups misplaced their respective premierships.
When the beginning eleven have been introduced, it was clear that Poland’s largest star by far, Robert Lewandowski, was not but able to play from the beginning. He has struggled with damage issues just lately and was on Poland’s bench.
In Austria, the most important exclamation level was that Marko Arnautovic, 35, took his place on the entrance. Maximilian Wöber’s personal aim towards France additionally appears to have had penalties when he began on the bench.
Austria opened strongly, and it took simply 9 minutes for the lead aim to reach. And the goalscorer was considerably surprising. Middle again Gernot Trauner was served a cross by left again Philipp Mwene and distinctively pushed within the lead aim along with his head.
– What a incredible aim that is, and it’s anticipated on the identical time. The cross from Philkipp Mwene is great and the header from centre-back Gernot Trauner is good. Nicely deserved, stated the previous England nationwide group defender Conor Coady within the BBC.
After Austria’s lead aim, Poland entered the sport an increasing number of. They established possession within the Austrians’ half and got here up with a few half-chances.
– Poland have recovered now, they’ve performed their half within the sport and are creating scoring possibilities, stated Conor Coady within the BBC.
And it paid dividends. Within the thirtieth minute, Krzystzof Piatek equalized after a tangled scenario in Poland’s penalty space. A shot was blocked by Austria goalkeeper Gernot Trauner, and Piatek obtained maintain of the ball to attain 1-1
– No Lewandowski? No drawback for Poland. Piatek is displaying that he’s an actual aim stealer, stated Sam Blitz in Sky Sports activities.
– How will you not love this? The supporters of every group are shouting as loud as they will, each groups are enjoying their sport, and the tie makes for a superb soccer match, so Conor Coady within the BBC.
On the finish of the primary half, Austria’s Patrick Pentz was pressured right into a sweaty save as Piotr Zielinski hit a near-perfect free-kick. However he managed to push the ball out to a nook – and the half thus ended equal, 1-1.
– A extremely good half and a superb soccer match. Austria flew out in the beginning of the sport and took the lead, then Poland got here again. They performed their half within the sport and have been rewarded with an equaliser, stated Conor Coady within the BBC.
Within the 69th minute of the match, the Polish viewers had a blast of pleasure. The nation’s huge star – Robert Lewandowski – was changed. The hope of profitable was ignited.
However as a substitute it was Austria who took the lead. Christoph Baumgartner obtained a superb place simply outdoors the penalty space and scored 2-1 within the 66th minute. Substitute Alexander Prass supplied the help.
– What a incredible move and what a incredible end. Good understanding of the sport by Arnautovic who lets the ball move him and to Cristoph Baumgartner, and he then makes no errors. Stunning from Austria, stated Conor Coady within the BBC.
And it was getting darker and darker for Poland. Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer obtained right into a free place, however was introduced down by Szczesny. The referee blew a penalty, and Arnautovic stepped as much as the penalty spot and knocked in 3-1.
As a substitute of a remaining push from Poland, it was Austria who pushed. With 5 minutes remaining, Konrad Laimer had an open aim after rounding Szczesny – however he shot vast.
– You perceive why Bayern Munich needed Ralf Rangnick. Though Austria misplaced to France final week, they’ve been incredible to observe. And now they get outcomes, stated Sam Blitz in Sky Sports activities.
The background is that the Austrian nationwide group captain has been rumored to affix Bayern Munich within the spring.
Poland did not have a lot to say within the remaining levels of the match. Austria thus gained the match 3-1, and it’ll due to this fact be powerful for Poland to advance to the spherical of 16. A French level tonight will make Poland the primary group to exit this summer season’s European Championship.
– Austria has labored their socks off and labored their hearts out. They’ve performed high quality soccer and scored some good objectives. With all proper, the Austrian supporters have been lyrical within the stands, stated Conor Coady within the BBC.
Sky Sports activities Sam Blitz:
– Austria seems very, superb. We noticed it towards France, however there they did not have the margins with them towards the world’s finest nationwide group.
Adam Buksa was dejected after the match.
– It’s a very unhappy second for us. For a interval within the second half, when it was 1-1, it felt like we may win. Particularly within the first quarter-hour. However then Austria’s second aim got here and killed the sport. It was not the outcome we needed, and we’re not joyful proper now, he instructed SVT.
– We nonetheless have hope, however we face France within the final match – the hardest opponent within the group stage. However we’ll combat to the tip, he concludes.
Startelvor:
Poland: Szczęsny – Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior – Frankowski, Piotrowski, Zieinski, Zalewski – Slisz, Buksa – Piatek.
Austria: Pentz – Mwene, Trauner, Lienhartm Posch – Grillitsch, Seiwald – Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Laimer – Arnautovic.