WATCH: Mert Gunok replicates iconic last-gasp 'Gordan Banks' save to help Turkey beat Austria at Euro 2024
WATCH: Mert Gunok replicates iconic last-gasp 'Gordan Banks' save to help Turkey beat Austria at Euro 2024
It was a night of redemption for Turkey at the Euro 2024 on Tuesday (July 2) after they beat Austria 2-1 in the Round of 16 contest in Leipzig. The win saw Turkey book a quarterfinal berth along with the Netherlands but had their goalkeeper Mert Gunok to thank after an excellent show in the goalpost. He produced a marvelous save to help Turkey preserve their lead and head into the last eight for the first time since 2008.
Gunok makes excellent save
Having taken a 2-0 lead, Austria reduced the deposit to 2-1 in the 66th minute and set up a mouth-watering final quarter of the match. Austria tried their best to score the equalsier and take the match into extra time but failed on all occasions. One such save came in the final minute of the match when Austria attacker Christoph Baumgartner lopped past four defenders and headed a ball in the direction of the goalkeeper and almost scored the equalising goal.
However, Turkish goalie Gunok stretched himself when the ball was curling away from him to make an excellent save. The save reminded me of Gordon Banks,had similarly saved a Pele-bound effort at the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Pele, who was at that time a two-time World Cup winner and about to win his third title headed a ball in the direction of Banks with the ball almost certain to reach the goal. However, like Gunok on Tuesday, Banks had an outstretching hand which saw the goal saved. The save is considered one of the iconic moments in football history and in the FIFA World Cup.
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Gunok’s save is compared with Banks and could be of great significance if Turkey go deep into the tournament.
Quarterfinal stage confirmed
After yesterday’s results, the quarterfinal matches for the Euro 2024 were confirmed with Netherlands awaiting Turkey. In the other contests, England will face Switzerland while France take on Spain for a place in the semis. Portugal on the other hand will face hosts Germany with a tough prospect in hand ahead of the semifinal clash.
