The Numbers Narrative: Austria 1-2 Türkiye

In a match dominated by Austria in terms of possession and chances, it was Turkiye who emerged victorious with a clinical 2-1 win, demonstrating the importance of efficiency and resilience in football.

Austria controlled 60% of the possession, reflecting their dominance with 283 passes in the opposition half compared to Turkiye’s 125. They created five big chances but could only convert one, highlighting a key difference in the game. Turkiye, with fewer opportunities, managed to make their two big chances count, leading to their narrow victory.

The Expected Goals (xG) metric heavily favored Austria at 2.74 compared to Turkiye’s 1.06, underscoring Austria’s inability to convert their superior play into goals. Kevin Danso was instrumental for Austria, receiving 68 passes and completing 83 out of 95. His 37 progressive passes and seven progressive carries highlighted his role in driving Austria forward.

Turkiye’s defensive solidity was crucial, with Ferdi Kadioglu leading the effort with six tackles. Despite Austria’s dominance in aerial duels (20 to 17), Turkiye’s superior ground duel performance (40 to 24) showcased their physical edge and ability to win crucial battles on the ground.

Austria’s field tilt of 78.15% to Turkiye’s 21.85% highlighted their territorial advantage, but Turkiye’s resilience and clinical finishing turned the game in their favor. Austria’s PPDA of 13.58 compared to Turkiye’s 14.04 indicates a closely matched pressing game, but it was Turkiye’s efficiency in key moments that made the difference.

Stefan Posch was a standout for Austria, achieving the highest Expected Threat (xT) of 0.68, while Kevin Danso’s contributions in both defense and attack were significant. However, Turkiye’s ability to capitalize on their chances, coupled with strong defensive performances, saw them through.

In conclusion, Turkiye’s 2-1 victory over Austria was a classic example of efficiency triumphing over dominance. Austria’s control of possession and chances was undone by Turkiye’s clinical finishing and defensive resilience, securing a hard-fought win.