Netherlands 2-3 Austria: Sabitzer stars as Austria top Group D with scintillating Netherlands win

Austria have beaten tournament favourites France to the summit of Group D following a thrilling 3-2 victory over a lacklustre Netherlands side, who will still qualify for the knockout stages despite a third-placed finish.

Ralf Rangnick’s men seem to have approached the match as though winning the group was the only acceptable outcome, beating back a series of attempted Dutch comebacks on the way to a what will surely become a legendary victory, beating France and the Netherlands to the top spot despite failing to qualify for any of the last six World Cups.

As it happened

A period of early pressure brought results for Austria in less than ten minutes, as Alexander Prass’ cross was turned in emphatically by Donyell Malen for what was the seventh own goal of the tournament. The winger had tracked back and attempted to block the cross, inadvertently tucking the ball in at the near post in what would have been a tidy finish had it been intentional.

While that blunder made the difference in the first period, Malen came within inches of redemption a quarter of an hour later, finding himself in a one-on-one with Patrick Pentz but placing his finish just wide of the post.

Austria sustained the early pressure beyond the goal, with Marcel Sabitzer leading the press and dictating play in possession. His shooting caused problems, too, forcing a save from Bart Verbruggen shortly before half-time.

With the Netherlands looking flustered, head coach Ronald Koeman opted for an early tactical substitution, dropping midfielder Joey Veerman in favour of Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. The Netherlands came alive following his introduction, creating a pair of chances shortly before the break but ultimately completing the first stanza goalless.

The scoreline did not hold for long. Just 73 seconds after the second half began, Cody Gakpo burst into the Austria box, blasting his shot beyond the reaches of Prass to flip the game’s momentum on its head.

Following that retort, it became clear that the Netherland’s had totally reversed their first half fortunes. They dominated possession and continued to create chances, until Austria finally got back on the ball just before the hour mark, flowing forward with intrinsic chemistry before Romano Schmid finished with an emphatic headed shot to put his nation back in the driver’s seat.

(Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Koeman turned to his usual management strategies, introducing Wout Weghorst, the definitive target man, with 20 minutes left to play, a move which came good as he teed up Memphis Depay’s 80^th minute equaliser. The goal was initially ruled out for a handball, but a rare positive intervention from VAR rescued Depay, setting up a crucial final ten minutes of football.

Another twist in the tale was just moments away, though, as Sabitzer struck almost exactly five minutes later to cancel out Depay’s equaliser, escaping his marker and finishing coolly from a tight angle to put Austria back in front and eventually secure the win after a late Dutch barrage failed to find an all-important third equaliser.

Austria’s tenacity was well matched by the Netherlands as both teams displayed a ‘never say die’ attitude. The Dutch came from behind twice to push Austria all the way to the final whistle, but were ultimately let down by an inability to respond to their opponents constant pressure and expert game management.

Austria will go on to face the runner up in Group F, likely to be the winner of Türkiye vs Czechia, which will take place on Tuesday. The Netherlands will not know their fate until tomorrow evening, when the group stage will officially be completed, though four points should be enough to see them through.