Marko Arnautovic scored in Austria’s commanding 3-1 victory over Poland on Friday, elevating their hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2024 knockout stages. Robert Lewandowski could only muster a meek substitute appearance for Poland.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria will likely secure qualification for the last 16 if they can avoid defeat in their final Group D game against the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Poland can no longer place in the top two and will most likely need to win against France in order to advance as one of the top four teams in third place.
In the 30th minute, Krzysztof Piatek, who had missed Poland’s first defeat to the Netherlands, equalized for the hosts, Austria, after Gernot Trauner had given Austria a well-deserved early lead.
With 30 minutes left in the tournament, Lewandowski made his debut, but he was largely inconsequential as Poland approached certain elimination.
Following a brilliant team move and an end-to-end contest that was ended by Arnautovic’s penalty in the 78th minute, Christoph Baumgartner gave Austria the lead again.
Austria, who reached the knockout phase at a major tournament for the first time since 1954 at Euro 2020, will be sure of going through if they defeat the Dutch, who face France later Friday.
Lewandowski was not fit enough to start after suffering a thigh injury last week, despite Poland coach Michal Probierz saying he was hopeful the Barcelona striker would be able to play.
Fans from the two countries, which both border Germany, packed out the Olympiastadion.
The Poland supporters who had made the short trip outnumbered their counterparts, but it was the wall of fans in red Austrian shirts who were bouncing up and down in celebration less than nine minutes in.
Their team started dominantly and were rewarded with the lead when defender Trauner powered a header past Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after clever wing play from left-back Phillipp Mwene.
Poland grew into the contest, though, and Nicola Zalewski passed up a good opportunity to equalise when he blazed over.
There was just one goal scored in the teams’ last two meetings in the Euro 2020 qualifying round.
However, the match ended just before the half-hour mark, with Piatek scoring from close range after Trauner had stopped Jan Bednarek’s shot. It was an entertaining match.
Bednarek blocked Marcel Sabitzer’s attempt to put Austria back ahead with a three-on-two attack, wasting a great opportunity to do so.
Piotr Zielinski’s free kick nearly put Rangnick’s team behind in first-half extra time, requiring goalkeeper Patrick Pentz to make a diving save.
With Stefan Posch’s header being held by Szczesny, Austria started the second half strongly.
When Lewandowski entered the field in the 60th minute, there was a tremendous cheer throughout the stadium.
His only involvement of note was to pick up a yellow card shortly after coming on for catching Philipp Lienhart in the face with his elbow.
Austria moved back ahead with a wonderfully-worked goal in the 66th minute.
Baumgartner took a touch and coolly placed the ball into the bottom corner after Arnautovic ducked substitute Alexander Prass’ sharp pass.
