Valery Filatov, a member of the Moscow Lokomotiv board, expressed surprise at Austria advancing to the Euro 2024 playoffs. He noted that Rangnick’s four months with Lokomotiv did not leave enough time for visible results, and he found Austria’s exit from the group unexpected.
Austria secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 third round. The Dutch opened the scoring with an own goal from Doniel Malen in the sixth minute, while Cody Gakpo leveled early in the second half. Romano Schmid restored Austria’s lead in the 59th minute, but Memphis Depay equalized again. Marcel Sabitzer sealed the win for Austria about ten minutes from full time.
In spring 2022, FIFA and UEFA, following guidance from the IOC, decided to suspend the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from participation in competitions governed by these bodies. This meant Russia missed the 2022 World Cup play-offs and continues to be absent from the present European Championship event.
A former Moscow Spartak player suggested that the outcome of Euro 2024 might have disappointed France, raising questions about the team’s performance and strategic decisions during the tournament.