Three things we learned when Arnautovic completed Austria’s famous win against Poland

A first-half goal from Piatek was only a consolation for Poland, while Trauner, Baumgartner and Arnautovic helped Austria to their first victory at the 2024 European Championship.

Below are three things we learned from a fun game in Berlin.

The Polish fans dominated the atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium, but Austria had possession of the ball and controlled most of the game.

Austria had over 70% possession in the first half hour and looked dangerous in every attack.

This should come as no surprise to those who have observed Austria in recent years.

In the defeat against France, Austria failed to score a single goal for the first time in 18 games.

This became clear in the tenth minute.

A powerful header from Trauner flew past Wojciech Szczesny into the top corner.

Austria’s fans were in dreamland when they sang Is this the way to Amarillo? in the celebration.

Sweet Mwene (that somehow rhymes with Marie) had made a wonderful cross, which Trauner was able to head in.

Further chances from Arnautovic and Sabitzer were missed before Baumgartner scored a beautiful team goal in the 68th minute.

The Austrians found time and space, playing the ball from left to right before Baumgartner put a sharp pass from Prass into the net.

Arnautovic crowned the victory with a penalty while the Austrian fans danced in the stands.

It was a superior victory that made Austrian fans dream of a Sunday morning in Texas.

Since his move from PSV to Mainz 05, Mwene’s form has been faltering. In 23 league games, he scored one goal and provided just two assists. Mainz thus avoided relegation from the Bundesliga by two points.

Today he showed why he is an elite full-back.

While Piatek scored his goal confidently, the 1.80 meter tall striker had great difficulties against Mwene.

Standing at just 1.65 metres tall, Mwene cleverly used his body and weight to defend the ball and thwart Poland’s attack.

For 62 minutes, Mwene defended with discipline and was electrifying in attack.

In the 10th minute, he left Frankowski behind on the right and served Trauner with a centimeter-precise cross from the baseline.

For an hour, most of Austria’s attacks came through Mwene on the right flank. The full-back had 57 touches and a pass success rate of almost 90% – the highest on his team.

Trauner will no doubt be praised for his goal and desperate blocks in defence, but Mwene played his role conscientiously.

The Barcelona striker has not played 90 minutes since his hat-trick against Valencia in April.

The Polish striker is recovering from a thigh injury and did not play in the first group match defeat against the Netherlands.

He started on the bench against Austria, but had 30 minutes to make his impression as a substitute.

However, in the remaining minutes of the game he was only a minor factor as Austria changed their style.

While Baumgartner and Arnautovic extended Austria’s lead, Lewandowski only had eleven ball contacts.

He ran with difficulty and his positioning was often hopeless, so Poland had no centre-forward.

Without its talisman, Poland seemed more dangerous in attack.