Euro 2024: Austria's Victory Over Poland Marked By Baumgartner And Arnautovic Goals

Austria secured their first win at Euro 2024 with a 3-1 triumph over Poland, thanks to second-half goals from Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic. The match, held in Berlin, saw Austria take an early lead as Poland struggled to find their footing.

Austria's aggressive start paid off within nine minutes when Phillipp Mwene's precise cross from the left found Gernot Trauner, who headed the ball into the net at the near post. Poland had a chance to equalise shortly after but Nicola Zalewski missed the target. However, Poland did level the score on the half-hour mark through Krzysztof Piatek, who capitalised on a deflection off Trauner to slot the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Poland introduced Robert Lewandowski from the bench on the hour mark, but it was Austria who regained control. Seven minutes later, Baumgartner scored after a clever dummy by Marko Arnautovic allowed him to finish calmly from the edge of the box. This goal made Baumgartner the first Austrian player to score in two different European Championships.

Christoph Baumgartner has scored at two different EURO's - becoming the first player to achieve this feat for the Austrian national team. Goal. pic.twitter.com/pPAWVKiuKf

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) June 21, 2024

Sealing the Victory

Arnautovic then secured Austria's victory by converting a penalty with 12 minutes remaining. The penalty was awarded after Marcel Sabitzer was brought down by Wojciech Szczesny. Austria could have added a fourth goal late in the game, but Konrad Laimer's shot went across the face of goal after he rounded Szczesny.

Key Statistics

At 35 years and 63 days old, Arnautovic became the third-oldest player to score a penalty at the Euros. He follows Ivica Vastic and Cristiano Ronaldo in this achievement. Despite being benched for Austria's previous match against France, Arnautovic impressed by winning seven of his nine duels and drawing three fouls.

Arnautovi #EURO2024 | #POLAUT pic.twitter.com/jBXdFPQ2Re

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 21, 2024

Looking Ahead

This victory means that avoiding defeat against the Netherlands next Tuesday would likely secure Austria's place in the last 16 of Euro 2024. The team's performance against Poland has set a positive tone for their upcoming matches.