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Euro 2024: Austria stuns the Netherlands to finish top of Group D ahead of France

Austria earned an upset over the Netherlands to finish top of Group D.

Austria earned a stunning 3-2 win over the Netherlands at Euro 2024 to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition top of Group D after France drew 1-1 with Poland.

It’s the first time in history that Austria has finished top of its group at the European Championship, while the Netherlands also book their place in the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Donyell Malen’s own goal gave Austria a deserved lead after just six minutes, only for Cody Gakpo to level the score two minutes into the second half.

Romano Schmid’s header restored the lead for Ralf Rangnick’s men just 12 minutes later, but the Oranje bounced back again thanks to Memphis Depay’s brilliant improvised finish.

However, Austria was relentless and eventually got what proved to be the winning goal as Marcel Sabitzer broke through the Dutch defense and finished smartly high into the roof of the net just 10 minutes from time.

France, meanwhile, took the lead over Poland 10 minutes into the second half thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s penalty – the French superstar’s first ever European Championship goal.

Poland was given the chance to equalize with a penalty of its own 10 minutes from time after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, but Robert Lewandowski saw his penalty saved by Mike Maignan.

However, VAR intervened again and ruled Maignan had moved off his line, allowing the Barça forward to score at the second attempt.

The draw means France enters what is widely considered the more difficult half of the knockout bracket, alongside Spain, Germany and Portugal.