Demiral at the double as Turkey beat Austria to reach EURO 2024 quarter-finals

Merih Demiral's (26) historic double propelled Turkey to their first UEFA European Championship quarter-final in 16 years with a 2-1 victory over Austria in Leipzig.

Austria started the round of 16 match with an intense attack, but they quickly found themselves trailing after just one minute of play.

The opening goal came from Arda Guler's corner, which bounced around the six-yard box before Patrick Pentz passed the ball to Demiral, who scored to make Turkey the fastest-ever goal scorers in a Euros knockout match.

Despite being the second-highest scorers in the group stages, Austria didn't give up, and Christoph Baumgartner's shot from the edge of the area narrowly missed the target in the second minute.

Both teams eventually settled into a more defensive rhythm, but the midfield battle continued, with Real Madrid's Guler attempting to chip Pentz from his own half, only to see his effort veer wide.

Austria needed to come up with a reaction to Turkey's quick goal as Das Team aimed to secure their first competitive victory over the Crescent Stars since 1988. Marko Arnautovic tested Mert Gunok with an early shot after the break.

Nonetheless, the lethal duo struck again to extend Turkey's lead as Guler's inviting corner was met by Demiral's powerful header that beat a helpless Pentz.

Vincenzo Montella's team had their eyes set on the quarter-finals until Austria's substitute Michael Gregoritsch made it a tense finish by converting Stefan Posch's header from a Marcel Sabitzer corner.

Austria pushed hard in the closing stages, but Montella's squad - missing their suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglu - held firm as Gunok made a crucial late save to secure their third victory in four Euro matches.

Austrian optimism was high after Ralf Rangnick's team surprisingly topped Group A ahead of France and the Netherlands.

However, Das Team's ambition to progress beyond the round of 16 at the Euros continues to elude them after Turkey's set-piece goals proved decisive.

In the end, Demiral's clinical finishing and solid defending saw Turkey through, leading to jubilant scenes as the Crescent-Stars booked a quarter-final clash with the Netherlands.