Netherlands 2 Austria 3: Sabitzer’s sublime winner and Koeman outfoxed by Rangnick
New York TimesAustria are through to the knockout stage as group winners after a sensational and topsy-turvy 3-2 victory over Netherlands. Ralf Rangnick’s side took the lead twice but were pegged back on both occasions before Marcel Sabitzer’s 80th-minute winner sealed the three points and condemned Ronald Koeman’s side to a third-place finish. Austria look the real deal If Austria weren’t dark horses for Euro 2024 before this game — and their dazzling 3-1 victory over Poland, coupled with some impressive results in the last two years under Rangnick, certainly suggested it — then they really are now. Austria were as good as the Netherlands were poor, with Rangnick’s side quick out of the blocks with few answers from Koeman’s side. David Alaba and midfield pivot Xaver Schlager aren’t at these Euros because of injury either, but this unfamiliar side, with Patrick Wimmer impressing on the left and Marcel Sabitzer scheming in the hole, played with all the fluency and pizzazz that Austria are becoming renowned for under Rangnick.