Turkey keeper Mert Gunok pulls off ‘Gordon Banks-eque’ save in 94th minute to help his nation dramatically reach quarter-final of Euro 2024 after 2-1 victory over Austria

Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok helped his country reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a stunning last-minute save against Austria.

While Turkey was leading 2-1 in the match, thanks to two goals from Martin Demiral, Ralf Rangnick’s team put on the pressure after Michael Gregoritsch scored a goal.

Four minutes into injury time, Alexander Prass crossed into the penalty area and Christoph Baumgartner headed a shot on goal, but it looked like the ball ended up in the corner.

But out of nowhere, Gunok leapt to his feet and stretched, improbably tipping the midfielder’s effort wide of the post to secure Turkey a famous victory.

Lee Dixon, commentating for ITV, was stunned, calling it a “Gordon Banks-esque” save, referring to the former England keeper’s superb save against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup.

Christoph Baumgartner’s header in the 94th minute looked like it would end up in the corner

But Gunok’s ridiculous intervention helped his team hold on to their slim 2-1 lead

“His distribution is absolutely first class, but this is world class,” he added.

‘He’s like a Gordon Banks replica. He’s a rock at the back. He made a good save in the first half and he made a worldie to keep the equaliser at 2-1 and send them through to the quarter-finals.’

Sam Matterface, ITV’s lead commentator for the match, also weighed in: ‘This is a historic moment and they have their goalkeeper to thank for it.

‘He’s in goal for the Turkish fans, because Berlin is calling and for the first time in 16 years they are going to the quarter-finals of a major tournament.’

Matterface and Dixon weren’t the only ones impressed by Gunok’s save, with several fans also praising the Turkey goalkeeper on social media.

One said: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever see or witness a more incredible save at a more important time…absolutely unreal from Turkey. I’m cheering hard for them against the Netherlands.’

Another added: ‘Austria vs Turkey was one of the most insane end-to-end football matches I’ve ever seen. That last save just made it into a movie. Sublime.’

Another supporter joined in the conversation: ‘MERT WHAT A SAVE I, THAT IS INCREDIBLE,’ after which another astonished supporter remarked: ‘That save by the Turkish goalkeeper was exceptional.

Gunok, 35, who plays for Besiktas, was attacked by Turkish players after his save

Baumgartner couldn’t believe it when Austria were eliminated despite dominating much of the match

Fans were quick to compliment Gunok as they were amazed by the save

‘Given the moment, given the time in the game, and given the opportunity – a knockout game. Brilliant save. They normally say ‘goals win games’. That goes for saves too. The job of a goalkeeper is not to ‘play out’ – it’s to stop goals going in.’

It was an important night for the Turks, who reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time in 16 years.

Since the semi-finals of Euro 2008, Turkey has failed to qualify for five of the eight tournaments, and was also eliminated in the group stages of Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

Gunok’s save was the icing on the cake of a brilliant match between two heroic teams, but it is the Turks who will take on the Netherlands on Saturday at 8pm in the other quarter-final on the English side of the schedule.

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