Austria coach Ralf Rangnick has revealed he sent a motivational message to Christoph Baumgartner, which may have played a role in his man-of-the-match win against Poland and boosting his side's chances of a place in the quarter-finals. second in the Euro 2024 European Championship.

Baumgartner scored the decisive goal in Austria's 3-1 win over Poland on Friday, unleashing a beautiful strike in the 66th minute from the edge of the box to give his team a 2-1 lead, KosovaPress reports.

On the bus ride to the match, Rangnick sent a photo of Baumgartner celebrating a goal for his club Leipzig in an attempt to motivate him.

However, he initially wondered if his text had fooled Baumgartner, who had struggled in the first half and needed a pep talk at half-time.

"I do it with one or two other players every now and then," Rangnick said of texting. "I don't know if it was such a good idea when I watch the first half from him," he joked.

Baumgartner had scored in Austria's four consecutive Euro games but failed to score in their first Group D defeat by France.

After finding the back of the net against Poland, Baumgartner fingered Rangnick and ran towards him before celebrating with an ecstatic hug.

"I wanted to give something back and show him that I'm extremely grateful," Baumgartner said.

The defeat knocked Poland out of Group D after France and the Netherlands drew 0-0. Austria face the Dutch on Tuesday in Berlin.