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Netherlands see off Austria to proceed to Round of 16

KNVB Media
KNVB Media
17 June 2021, 23:30

Denzel Dumfries celebrates with his PSV Eindhoven teammate Donyell Malen after netting the second goal for the hosts - Foto: KNVB Media

The Netherlands are through to the last 16 at Euro 2020 after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Austria on Thursday night. Star of the match was the indefatigable defender Denzel Dumfries, who won a penalty in the first half and scored the decider in the second.

With maximum points on the board, Frank de Boer’s men now top Group C with a game to spare. This means he might be able to rest a couple of players in Monday’s final group match against North Macedonia.

Dutch dominance

The Netherlands head coach will have been pleased with his team’s dominance against Austria. Of course, there was the home advantage in the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, but the hosts gave very little away throughout the game, creating instead a series of chances, which could easily have produced a higher score.

After just 10 minutes, star striker Memphis Depay gave the Oranje the lead from the spot after Austria’s captain David Alaba stepped on the foot of wing-back Dumfries. Depay came close to increasing his tally at the end of the first half, when the team stepped up the pressure, creating a flurry of excellent chances.

Netherlands vs Austria was quite a physical game as Memphis Depay experienced on quite a few occasions.

Smiling Dumfries

We’re growing as a team and it feels good.

Like Sunday’s first group match against Ukraine, it was Dumfries again who scored the winner well into the second half, this time from a swift counter set up by Depay and substitute Donyell Malen. Dumfries was still wearing a smile when he face Dutch reporters after the match.

“Yes, this is fantastic. We played quite a good match, kept our focus and remained in control the entire game. We deserved this victory given our dominance and the high number of chances we created. We learned from the previous match and managed to keep a clean sheet this time around. It means we’re growing as a team and it feels good.”

The Netherlands will take on North Macedonia in their final Group C match at the same venue, the Johan Cruijff ArenA, on Monday, 21 June. The knockout phase starts on 26 June. The Netherlands will play their Round of 16 match in Budapest on 27 June against the number three of either Group D, E or F.

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