June 25 – Austria overcame Netherlands in a pulse-raising five-goal thriller in Berlin, to go top of group D as France could only manage a draw with Poland.
Donyell Malen’s unfortunate own goal marked the difference between the two sides, but with four points the Dutch had already qualified for the last 16.
Shuffling his formation from the one that fired blanks against France, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman swapped out full back Denzel Dumfries, Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and talented youngster Xavi Simons for Feyernoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida, Dortmund’s Donyell Malen and PSV’s Joey Veerman.
The changes marked a different style for the Dutch, who were eager to establish more control than the 37% possession registered against France. All three players looked like the wrong options, though, as Donyell Malen scored the opener into his own net and Joey Veerman was subbed after just 35 minutes in.
Koeman adapted his favoured 4-2-3-1 shape into a classic 4-3-3, with a focus on remaining more flexible in possession – a tactic that was quickly ditched with the introduction of Xavi Simons to replace the hapless Veerman.
On the other side of the dugout, Rangnick chose to move star man Marcel Sabitzer back into his favoured central role, dropping Saturday’s Man of the Match Christopher Baumgartner for Patrick Wimmer who also impressed during his second-half stint versus Poland.
Baumgartner was left as un unused substitute for the match – perhaps with one eye on staying fresh for knockout football to come.
Last week’s goalscorer Gernot Trauner was also dropped, likely due to carrying a knock which saw him exit the pitch early. In his place stood Maximilian Wober – the man who cost Austria a point versus France with an own goal.
Another familiar face, Konrad Laimer, gave way to eventual goalscorer Romano Schmid in midfield as the final piece of Rangnick’s unusual selection to start the match.
Austria returned to the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where they were victorious over Poland. With their tally of three points likely to be enough to carry them through to the next round, the pressure was off both teams.
Under the sweltering German sun, Austria threatened early after catching Netherlands on the break. Still needing a minute to warm into the game, Austria’s Schmid fumbled the shot, letting the first chance of the game go to waste.
Fuelling their team’s quick start, the Austrian support was in fine voice as the startling orange wall seemed to shrink.
It took just six minutes for Austria to capitalise on their dominance, forcing an own goal from Dutch winger Donyell Malen who butchered a clearance which arrowed into his own net.
Eager to establish some kind of grasp of a game that was quickly escaping them, Netherlands chose to play slowly through the ranks of their struggling midfield, who had just 28 caps between them.
Malen was given the chance to undo his mistake in the 23rd minute, but flashed a chance wide of the post from just six years outside. Thus far, it was a game to forget for the striker.
Sensing a shift in momentum, the Dutch fans found their voice as the half wore on and more Austrian shirts flew into tackles. Before long, both Posch and Wimmer found themselves in the book with over an hour still to play.
The 27 degree heat was enough to warrant a water break on the 35 minute mark, which both teams gladly accepted.
This marked the end of a period of dominance for the Dutch side, with Marcel Sabitzer forcing a fine save from Bart Verbruggen soon after, followed by chaotic pinball that the Dutch keeper somehow managed to keep a lid on.
Netherlands midfielder Veerman was taken off at the 35 minute mark after a challenging start saw the player complete just nine out of 19 passes and zero successful dribbles. Dazzling youngster Xavi Simons replaced Veerman, instantly injecting a bit of a spark into a Netherlands attack that was fizzling out.
Quite happy to sit on their lead, Austria allowed the opposition to control possession, only choosing to mount meaningful attacks on the break.
Entering the half time break with Austria leading by a goal, Netherlands would have felt disappointed after creating the Lion’s share of quality chances.
Moments into the second half, Cody Gakpo levelled the score with a fine finish into the top left corner. The Liverpool forward completed his trademark cutback and delivered a laser-point finish.
The goal was assisted by substitute Simons, who made a huge difference moving forward as an agile, tricky playmaker that Austria simply couldn’t keep a lid on.
Netherlands skipper Virgil Van Dijk came inches from putting his side in front, shaving the crossbar with a header from a corner.
The Dutchmen were starting to assert themselves, causing the orange wall at their backs to burst into song.
Against the run of play, Austria bounced back into the lead thanks to a flying header from Romano Schmid in the 59th minute, which was pathetically cleared into his own net by Stefan de Vrij.
The goal was credited to Schmid despite the massive deflection.
Memphis Depay went on to level the score after a lengthy VAR check for hand ball. The Dutchman converted a cool volley following a header from towering substitute Wout Weghorst.
In a pulse-raising turn of events, Sabitzer scored at the other end with an emphatic finish. Seconds later, the Austrians made it 4-2 but the goal was quickly chalked off, marking the end to a whirlwind three minutes for both sides.
With both teams officially off the leash, it was all out-attack from the Netherlands.
As the Dutchmen came up blank in their late resurgence, the 3-2 loss means Austria will join France in the top two of Group D and automatically progress into the round of 16. Netherlands are through as one of the best third-placed sides thanks to their tally of four points.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1719599170labto1719599170ofdlr1719599170owedi1719599170sni@g1719599170niwe.1719599170yrrah1719599170