Magic Dutch conjure up Viennese victory

A late goal from Klaas Jan Huntelaar sealed a staggering comeback by Marco van Basten's side. Trailing 3-0 after 35 minutes, the Netherlands mounted an improbable fightback which left the UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts reeling at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.

Topsy-turvy
The home team were 3-0 up with ten minutes of the first half still to play, thanks to strikes from Andreas Ivanschitz and Sebastian Prödl (2). However, Huntelaar's 37th-minute goal launched a revival which he himself rounded off after 86 minutes following second-half efforts from Johnny Heitinga and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Advantage Austria
Despite the reverse, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger could take encouragement from his side's early dominance of their illustrious guests. Ivanschitz gave them the lead after six minutes, bamboozling Heitinga before flashing a shot past goalkeeper Henk Timmer. Twelve minutes later, the scorer delivered the corner from which Prödl headed Austria's second and the same pairing combined for an almost identical goal on 35 minutes – with the SK Sturm Graz defender registering for the second time in eight internationals.

Back in contention
Stunned yet not entirely dispirited, the Netherlands then got a grip on the game. They reduced arrears when Huntelaar – playing in place of the injured Ruud van Nistelrooy – nodded in Wesley Sneijder's corner. And with Clarence Seedorf and Wilfred Bouma replacing Demy de Zeeuw and Joris Mathijsen, the Oranje emerged for the second period a different proposition. Heitinga made it 3-2 midway through the half, taking advantage of a mis-hit clearance from Prödl.

Late winner
Ten minutes from time, Van Basten threw on Vennegoor of Hesselink and it proved a masterstroke. The giant forward levelled matters with a volley after Huntelaar had gone in for an aerial challenge with goalkeeper Helge Payer. The winner came with four minutes to go when Vennegoor of Hesselink flicked Seedorf's ball on for Huntelaar to strike his sixth goal in eleven internationals.