Austria got their hopes of a last-16 place at Euro 2024 back on track with a much-deserved 3-1 win over Poland.
An opening defeat to France had left Ralf Rangnick’s side under pressure to deliver in Berlin and they duly did, as the superb Christoph Baumgartner restored their lead in the second-half and Marko Arnautovic effectively sealing the victory from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go.
That came after Austria had been pegged back heading into the break, having made a fast start. Gernot Trauner headed them into an early lead, but Poland responded well and were level by half-time, as Krzysztof Piatek kept his cool from close range.
Robert Lewandowski, still not fully fit after injury, was introduced on the hour mark as Poland pushed for a win that would have boosted their own qualification hopes, but they are now facing an early exit, sitting on two defeats ahead of a final Group C assignment against France.
Austria, meanwhile, know a draw against the Netherlands will almost certainly be enough for them to progress, with a win earning them a top-two finish.
Austria started with high intensity and took the lead after nine minutes, a goal that always felt as though it was coming. Full-back Phillipp Mwene collected the ball wide on the left from a poor defensive header and swung an inviting cross to the near post that was brilliantly nodded home by the unmarked Trauner.
Poland grew into the game and levelled on the half-hour mark. Jan Bednarek pounced on a loose ball inside the box after Austria failed to clear their lines, his shot cannoned against the goalscorer Trauner and broke for Piatek who made space and guided it into the corner.
Lewandowski was introduced on the hour mark for his first appearance of the tournament but it was Austria who struck again midway through a tight second half.
Alexander Prass' ball forwards was cleverly dummied by Arnautovic, allowing it to run beyond him and to the feet of Baumgartner, who opened up his body and from the edge of the box coolly steered his finish beyond Wojciech Szczesny.
Marcel Sabitzer then won a penalty when fouled by Szczesny as he bore down on goal, allowing Arnautovic to seal the win for his side and leave them well-placed to make it out of the group.
