Austria takes the first three points and moves closer to promotion! The clash between our neighbours was decided by Baumgartner

The next Group D match kicked off at 6pm on Friday. Poland and Austria played each other. Both teams lost their opening games and needed to score points to stay in the tournament. The Austrians took the three points, winning 3:1 after an active and offensive performance.

The Austrian pressure was only enough for a half-time draw

From the start, the Austrians got into their opponent and kept them in their own half. And this activity paid off in the ninth minute when stopper Trauner hit the front post with a header. Poland’s goalkeeper Szczesny, for whom this year’s Euro is the last major national tournament, was without a chance.

After a quarter of an hour of play, Zielinski got a shot off inside the penalty area and hit Mwene in the arm. The main referee did not whistle the penalty, but the VAR decision was awaited. It confirmed the decision. Mwene had his hand on his body. The Poles had to keep trying.

In the end, they got the equaliser. They kept the Austrians under pressure and won a corner. Jan Bednarek got a shot off, but his shot was blocked. However, Krzysztof Piatek took the rebounded ball and made no mistake to tie the game at 1-1.

A few meters in front of the hexagon Posch fouled unnecessarily and the Poles kicked a free direct kick. Zielinski took the ball and shot beautifully to the right post. Even better, however, was the save by Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, who pulled the shot out for a corner with one hand. That was the last big chance of the first half.

The Poles were not dangerous in the second half

The first yellow card came in the 52nd minute, deservedly given to Bartosz Slisz when he pulled the jersey of one of Austria’s attacking players during a promising action. However, Sabitzer did not play the ensuing direct kick well and his overhit centre ended up in touch.

After an hour of play, the Polish fans were eager to see it. Karol Swiderski and Robert Lewandowski, who had missed the first leg due to injury, came on. He was immediately involved in an attacking effort, but it was to no avail. On the contrary, a few minutes after his arrival he received a yellow card for elbowing an opponent in the face.

In the 66th minute, Austria regained the lead. After action on the left, Alexander Prass crossed on the edge of the big white space, Arnautovic passed the ball brilliantly to Christoph Baumgartner, who fired a shot into Szczesny’s opposite shoulder to score his third goal in the last four games for the national team.

But the Austrians didn’t let up and ten minutes later Wimmer got his chance, sending a very incisive shot at the experienced goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area. But the goalkeeper kept his eye on the situation and knocked the shot away.

Moments later, Sabitzer made a great escape from the Polish defence and had to be fouled by Szczesny. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot and gave the goalkeeper a yellow card. Captain Marko Arnautovic took the penalty and sent the goalkeeper the other way. The score changed to 3-1.

Poland could only muster one more chance, which was not converted by Kamil Grosicki. The Austrians deservedly took the three points and came much closer to advancing from at least third place. Poland, on the other hand, has only a minimal and very unlikely chance of advancing.

Source: UEFA