Twice the Netherlands pegged Austria back but Marcel Sabitzer’s 80th minute winner secured Ralf Rangnick’s side top spot in Group D with a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Beginning the match in third place, Austria’s final spot is just reward for a victory which was created by the intensity they played with from the first whistle.
They were justly rewarded for the strange opener which came when Donyell Malen put the ball in his own net, but Ronald Koeman moving full back Lutsharel Geertruida into midfield at half time changed the game and after Cody Gakpo’s goal levelled matters they could easily have taken the lead.
The character of this Austrian side was shown by them riding out this storm to take the lead on the hour mark from Romano Schmid and then once more from the captain Sabitzer, when many sides would have lost heart following Memphis Depay’s equaliser, which was strangely disallowed initially.
The win means Austria top Group D on six points, followed by France on five and the Netherlands, guaranteed a third-place finish on four.
More to follow…