Austria overpower Robert Lewandowski's Poland to keep Euro 2024 dream alive

Austria kept their hopes of making it the Euro 2024 knockout stage alive following a superb second-half performance that sealed a 3-1 win over Poland on Friday.

Gernot Trauner, Christian Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic all got on the scoresheet to push the Poles closer to elimination.

The Austrians, who lost to France in their opener, survived a spirited first-half comeback in which Poland equalised and came close to taking the lead before the wheels came off in the second half as they slumped to a second loss in the tournament.

Robert Lewandowski returned from a thigh injury as a substitute for Poland but could not help his team make inroads against Ralf Rangnick's sturdy side.

Poland striker Krzysztof Piatek levelled Trauner's opener, but Baumgartner and Arnautovic's second-half goals earned Austria three vital points.

With Austria and Poland both bordering host nation Germany, it was no surprise to see a sold-out stadium and a raucous crowd at the Olympiastadion, with both teams defeated in their opening matches and desperate for victory.

Poland supporters roared when captain and all-time top scorer Lewandowski appeared on the big screen but he was only fit to start on the bench.

Austria dominated the opening stages and Trauner powered home a header at the near post from the enterprising Phillipp Mwene's cross.

Piatek levelled for Poland after half an hour, staying calm in the box when a rebound fell his way and slotting into the bottom corner.

With the game level approaching the hour mark, Poland coach Michal Probierz sent on Lewandowski, who took the captain's armband.

Showing little concern about his injury, the forward charged around and quickly picked up a booking for catching Philipp Lienhart with his arm.

Aust