Turkey keeper Mert Gunok pulls off ‘Gordon Banks-esque’ save within the 94th minute to assist his nation dramatically attain the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after 2-1 victory over Austria

Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok helped his nation into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a surprising last-gasp save in opposition to Austria.

With Turkey 2-1 up within the match due to a brace from Martin Demiral, Ralf Rangnick’s aspect had been piling on the strain after Michael Gregoritsch had pulled a aim again.

After the 4 minutes of added time had been up, Alexander Prass looped a cross into the field, and Christoph Baumgartner headed an effort on aim that seemed to be nestling within the nook.

Nevertheless, out of nowhere, Gunok leapt at full stretch and improbably tipped the midfielder’s effort previous the publish as Turkey held on for a well-known victory.

Lee Dixon, on commentary for ITV, was left greatly surprised as he labelled it a ‘Gordon Banks-esque’ save, in reference to the previous England keeper’s beautiful cease in opposition to Brazil on the 1970 World Cup.

Christoph Baumgartner’s 94th minute headed effort regarded destined to nestle within the nook

However Gunok’s ludicrous intervention helped his aspect maintain onto their slender 2-1 benefit

‘His distribution has been completely top notch however that’s world class,’ he added. 

‘It is sort of a Gordon Banks duplicate. He has been a rock on the again. He made a very good save within the first half and he has made a worldie to maintain the tie at 2-1 and ship them to the quarter-finals.’

Sam Matterface, who was ITV’s lead commentator for the conflict, additionally chimed in as he mentioned: ‘It is a historic second and they have their goalkeeper to thank for it. 

‘He’s crowded within the aim in entrance of the Turkey followers as a result of Berlin is asking and for the primary time in 16 years, they’re going to a significant match quarter-final.’

Talking post-match, Rangnick joined in on the reward regardless of his aspect’s defeat as he added: ‘We had sufficient time to attract. But it surely was very troublesome as a result of Turkey had Gordon Banks within the aim.’

Rangnick, Matterface and Dixon weren’t the one individuals in awe at Gunok’s save as a number of followers praised the Turkey stopper on social media.

One mentioned: ‘I do not assume I ever have or ever will see a extra unbelievable save at a extra vital time…completely unreal from Turkey. I am arduous rooting for them in opposition to the Netherlands.’

One other added: ‘Austria vs Turkey was one of the insane end-to-end video games of soccer I’ve ever seen. That ultimate save simply made it a film. Elegant.’

An additional supporter chimed in: ‘MERT WHAT A SAVE GOODNESS ME THAT’S UNBELIEVABLE,’ earlier than one other astonished supporter quipped: ‘That save by the Turkey goalkeeper was distinctive. 

Gunok, 35, who plies his commerce for Besiktas, was mobbed by Turkey’s gamers after his save

Baumgartner was in disbelief as Austria crashed out regardless of dominating a lot of the sport

Followers had been fast to hitch in on heaping reward on Gunok as they had been left astonished by the save

‘Given the second, given the time within the recreation, and given the event – a knockout recreation. Sensible save. They usually say ‘objectives win video games’. So do saves. The job of a keeper isn’t to ‘play out’ – it’s to cease objectives entering into.’

It was an enormous evening for the Turks, who reached a quarter-final of a significant match for the primary time in 16 years.

In truth, since their run to the semi-finals at Euro 2008, Turkey have didn’t qualify for 5 out of eight tournaments, whereas they had been knocked out within the group stage at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

Gunok’s save capped a superb recreation between two swashbuckling sides, however it’s the Turks who will tackle the Netherlands on Saturday at 8PM, within the different quarter-final on England’s aspect of the draw.