Thanks in part to a historic early goal from Christoph Baumgartner, Austria’s national soccer team started the European Championship year with a victory. In contrast, England suffered a setback in the tough test against Brazil at the start of the European Championship year.
In Wembley on Saturday (March 23rd, 2024), the vice-European champions lost 0-1 (0-0) to “Selecao” in the prestigious duel less than three months before the European Championships. The match winner for Brazil was the 17-year-old talent Endrick (80th) with his first international goal.
In the English attack, Ollie Watkins replaced the injured Bayern star Harry Kane, while Kyle Walker was captain. But the defender had to leave the field injured after just 20 minutes. It was an intense encounter, with more chances for Brazil in the first half.
After the break, England had a better chance – until substitute Endrick, in his third international match, coolly finished after a counterattack and thus put an end to an impressive series for the English team at Wembley Stadium. It was England’s first defeat at the London Arena in 21 games.
Baumgartner’s lightning goal shows Austria the way
Coach Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian team won 2-0 (1-0) against hosts Slovakia in Bratislava thanks to Baumgartner’s record goal. Baumgartner, who is under contract with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, took the lead after just seven seconds. The 24-year-old scored the fastest goal in international history.
Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch kicked off Baumgartner in Bratislava, the former Hoffenheim player stormed out and scored. The guests then controlled the encounter with eight Bundesliga players in the starting line-up, but missed further goals in the first half. Andreas Weimann (82nd) made the decision.
Switzerland and Denmark split goalless
Germany’s European Championship group opponents Switzerland have missed an exclamation mark. In the friendly in Denmark, the team led by Bayer Leverkusen’s midfield engine Granit Xhaka ended in a 0-0 draw, and goalkeeper Yann Sommer also injured his ankle.
In Copenhagen, the host initially determined what happened. National coach Murat Yakin’s Confederates appeared too harmless offensively for a long time. After 36 minutes, the ex-Gladbach summer couldn’t continue. In the absence of the ailing BVB keeper Gregor Kobel, Yvon Mvogo had to step in. The former Leipzig player defused a dangerous free kick from Denmark star Christian Eriksen in the second half (62′).
Zero number for Belgium too
Meanwhile, Belgium suffered a disappointment with former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco. In Ireland the “Red Devils” couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw. Without the injured top star Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgians were even lucky when goalkeeper Matz Sels was able to save a penalty from Ireland’s Evan Ferguson in the first half.
