Turkey advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA European Championship at the expense of impressive Austria thanks to a “world-class” save by Beşiktaş goalkeeper Mert Gunok in the final moments of the game. The crucial stop, which helped Turkey hold on to a narrow 2-1 lead, was dubbed “the save of the tournament” while the effort was hailed as “one of the greatest in Euro history”.
Turkey are back in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 for the first time since 2008 after beating in-form Austria in their last 16 tie on Tuesday thanks to a last-gasp wonder save from goalkeeper Mert Gunnock.
Merih Demiral scored the fastest goal in the knockout stages at the Euros – 57 seconds into the game – to put Turkey ahead in an action-packed encounter before the defender doubled his lead on the hour mark.
Austria hit back through Michael Gregoric just seven minutes later as Ralf Rangnick’s side threatened to force extra-time with a flurry of late attacks.
In the 95th minute, Christoph Baumgartner latched on to a cross from the left with a powerful header on the edge of the penalty area, but his close-range effort was emphatically denied by Gunnock, with a save dubbed “one of the greatest in Euro history”.
Speaking to ITV after the match, former England player Joleon Lescott labeled the Besiktas star’s stop as “saving the tournament”.
“The agility, the composure and the strength to not only stay off the grid but to push away is incredible,” he said as he inspected the great foot. “It’s an incredible save. A tournament save.”
Thanks to Gunnock’s stunning goalkeeping in the final seconds of the game, Vincenzo Montella’s side will now face the Netherlands for a place in the semi-finals.
On Turkey’s overall performance in beating Austria, Lescot added: “It was organized chaos. There was a real structure to their counter-attacks.”
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Former Arsenal and England defender Lee Dixon called Gunnock “a rock at the back” for Turkey thanks to his “world spirit” in defence.
“Totally deserved for Turkey,” he said on ITV. “The wings came in and they didn’t know what to do with them.”
“Full of energy and their goalkeeper was an absolute rock at the back.” Gunnock produced an absolute world player to send his country into the quarter-finals of the Euros.
“A brilliant game of football.”
Former Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton was also impressed by Turski and Gunnock, who etched his name into the Euro history books.
“As Turkey dug in at the end of that game, Austria hit them but they showed that spirit and got over the line,” he told the BBC.
“That rescue of Gunok is one of the great rescues in the history of the euro. What a story they went through to the end.
“They have the Netherlands next and you wouldn’t miss them winning.”
Turkey will play Ronald Koeman’s side on Saturday 6 July as the nation look to reach the semi-finals for only the second time in their history.