Robert Lewandowski's return goes in vain as Austria down Poland 3-1 at Euro 2024

NEW DELHI: Austria secured a significant 3-1 victory over Poland in a crucial Euro 2024 group stage match held in Berlin, enhancing their prospects for advancing to the knockout stages.
The match saw the return of Poland's Robert Lewandowski from a thigh injury, albeit starting from the bench, as Poland faced their second defeat in Group D, putting them on the verge of elimination.

The game opened with Austria asserting dominance early on, leading to Gernot Trauner scoring the first goal with a header, capitalizing on a cross from Phillipp Mwene. Poland managed to equalize through Krzysztof Piatek, who skillfully found the net after a rebound.

However, Austria regained control in the second half with goals from Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic, the latter converting a penalty, securing the win for Austria.

This match was of particular interest given the geographical proximity of Austria and Poland to the host nation, Germany, contributing to a sold-out Olympiastadion and a vibrant atmosphere.

Despite Poland's efforts and the introduction of Lewandowski in the second half, Austria's performance under the guidance of coach Ralf Rangnick was too strong, with Baumgartner praising Rangnick for his motivational support.
Elsewhere, in Group E, Ukraine secured a 2-1 victory over Slovakia, moving them into second place ahead of their next match. The results of these matches are pivotal, shaping the path to the knockout stages for the competing teams.
Austria's win places them in a favourable position ahead of their final group match against the Netherlands in Berlin, while Poland face a challenging game against France, with their chances of advancement hanging in the balance. The dynamics of Group D remain fluid, with the upcoming matches crucial in determining which teams will progress to the later stages of Euro 2024.