Austria, the underdogs, muscled the Netherlands 3-2 to steal the top spot in Dramatic Turns at Berlin in Euro 2024’s Group D. This electrifying victory propels Austria into the last 16 with a maximum of 6 points, while the Dutch, 4 points, hang on for dear life to a knockout berth as one of the best third-placed teams.

The pressure was incessant, but Austria, showing remarkable resilience, would not buckle. After Romano found his first international goal, a late strike from the talismanic Marcel Sabitzer sealed the deal. Despite Donyell Malen’s own goal in the Netherlands, the efforts of Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay fell against an inspired Austrian side.

Kylian Mbappe’s penalty in the 56th minute could do little but frustrate France into a draw, registering a disappointing end to their Group D campaign against Poland. Any hopes France still had of topping the group were dashed with Robert Lewandowski’s penalty for Poland in the 79th minute. The draw sees France finish second, while Poland goes out despite their valiant fight.

The Austrian win epitomizes fighting spirit. Written off, they go into the knockout rounds, having made their run at just the right time. The Netherlands, no doubt, will be waiting with bated breath for them to get through, and France did require regrouping—all to do something that could so easily be a tight opponent in the next one.