Austria got their hopes of a last-16 place at Euro 2024 back on track with a much-deserved 3-1 win over Poland. An opening defeat to France had left Ralf Rangnick’s side under pressure to deliver in Berlin and they duly did, as the superb Christoph Baumgartner restored their lead in the second-half and Marko Arnautovic effectively sealing the victory from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go.
That came after Austria had been pegged back heading into the break, having made a fast start. Gernot Trauner headed them into an early lead, but Poland responded well and were level by half-time, as Krzysztof Piatek kept his cool from close range. Robert Lewandowski, still not fully fit after injury, was introduced on the hour mark as Poland pushed for a win that would have boosted their own qualification hopes, but they are now facing an early exit, sitting on two defeats ahead of a final Group C assignment against France.
Austria, meanwhile, know a draw against the Netherlands will almost certainly be enough for them to progress, with a win earning them a top-two finish.
