"It's difficult when they have Gordon Banks in goal" - Ralf Rangnick reacts to wonder save from Turkey’s Mert Gunok in Euro 2024 clash
Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick likened Turkey custodian Mert Gunok with English legend Gordan Banks for his spectacular last-ditch save during their 2-1 Euro 2024 Round of 16 defeat on Tuesday (July 2) in Leipzig.
Turkey reached the quarter-finals, courtesy of a brace from Merih Demiral. Michael Gregoritsch pulled one back for Austria after the hour mark, but it wasn't enough to keep Das Team alive.
Christoph Baumgartner had the best chance of making it 2-2 for Rangnick's side in stoppage time when he headed in from close range. But a vigilant Gunok dived to his right to brilliantly parry it away, keeping Turkey's lead intact.
Rangnick praised Gunok for his brilliant save by comparing him with legendary English goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who pulled off a similar save on Brazil's Pele at the 1970 FIFA World Cup. At a press conference after the loss, he said:
"If you're behind with two goals, then things aren't any easier. The team tried everything. We then scored one goal, and we had enough time to achieve a draw. It's difficult if you have Gordon Banks in goal (though)."
Having surprisingly won Group D ahead of heavyweights France and the Netherlands, Austria avoided another big side in the last-16, as they drew Turkey, whom they had crushed 6-1 in a friendly three months ago.
However, against the Crescent-Stars, whom Das Team were the favourites to beat, Rangnick's side were inexplicably sloppy in front of goal. They had 21 shots in the game, more than thrice as many as Turkey (6), but only five were on target. Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok is another reason for their loss, as he made a series of vital stops and saves.
Turkey next play the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals in Berlin on Saturday (July 6).
Austria remain winless in major tournament knockouts since 1954 following loss to Turkey
After their defeat to Turkey, Austria remain winless in the knockouts of a major tournament since the 1954 FIFA World Cup, when Das Team overcame Switzerland 7-5 in the quarter-finals.
In their next four appearances in the World Cup, Austria didn't progress beyond the group stage, including second-group stage in 1978 and 1982.
In the Euros, Austria reached the last-16 for the first time at Euro 2020, where they lost 2-1 to eventual champions Italy. Three years later, Turkey threw a spanner in their works at the same stage.