Turkey's coaches celebrate after winning a Euro 2024 match against Austria. LaPresse

Watch: Merih Demiral lifts Turkey past Austria, into Euro quarters

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jul 2, 2024 5:15 PM ET

Turkish defender Merih Demiral solidified his country's upset of Group D winners Austria with his second goal of the Euro Round of 16 match on Tuesday afternoon.

In the pouring rain, Demiral headed a 59th-minute corner kick past Austrian goaltender Patrick Pentz to put Turkey up 2-0.

MERIH DEMIRAL DOES IT AGAIN

TÜRKIYE TAKES A 2-0 LEAD pic.twitter.com/0OlXEW5C6g
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024

Demiral's header would end up being the game-winner as Austria attempted to make a comeback, scoring just six minutes after him to halve the deficit.

AUSTRIA TAKES ONE BACK

Game. On. pic.twitter.com/SH9NEQlDAD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024

It was a man-of-the-match performance from Demiral as he managed to score the second-fastest goal in Euro history just 56 seconds after kickoff to put Turkey up 1-0 very early.

Austria nearly equalized at the end of stoppage time, but Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok made an incredible leaping save to redirect midfielder Christoph Baumgartner's point-blank header out of bounds.

WHAT A SAVE!!!!!!!!!

Mert Günok comes up HUGE!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zNxmhZzNBn
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024

This was the first time Turkey won a knockout stage match at a Euro tournament since 2008 when it defeated Croatia in penalties to advance to the semifinals.

The Netherlands now await Turkey in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals set for July 6.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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