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The Netherlands booked their spot in last 16 at Euro 2020 as they saw off Austria in Amsterdam to win Group C with a game to spare.
Frank de Boer’s side, who beat Ukraine in their opening fixture, look to be hitting their stride as they outclassed the visitors in front of 12,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Talisman Memphis Depay put the hosts ahead from the spot after David Alaba brought down flying wing-back Denzel Dumfries, who capped a fine performance by adding the second from a swift break in the second half.
The Dutch, who failed to qualify for the past two major tournaments, are into the knockout stages at the European Championship for the first time since 2008.
Austria started their campaign with victory over North Macedonia and their progression will be decided in the final group match against Ukraine.
De Boer came in for some criticism for using a 5-3-2 formation in the build-up but stuck with it after an entertaining 3-2 opening win against Ukraine.
He was rewarded as the Netherlands secured a place in the knockout stages at their first major tournament since reaching the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
The marauding Dumfries has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the system, playing more like a right forward, and it was the PSV Eindhoven defender who was caught in the box 10 minutes in, with the penalty given after the video assistant referee intervened.
That allowed Depay to stroke the hosts ahead with his 27th goal at international level – eight of those have come since De Boer took charge in September and he has been involved in 27 goals in the past 22 games for his country.
The Lyon forward had earlier missed a glorious chance to add to his tally, but started the move for the Netherlands’ second when he sent Donyell Malen free for the substitute to unselfishly square the ball and give Dumfries a tap-in for his second of the tournament.
Matthijs de Ligt’s return from a groin injury firmed up what looked a shaky Dutch backline in the opening game and Austria failed to trouble the hosts until the final 10 minutes, with Alaba firing narrowly wide.
The Netherlands will await the third-placed finisher from either Group D, E or F in the next round.
What’s next?
Austria meet Ukraine and Netherlands face North Macedonia in the final round of Group C games, with both matches taking place on Monday at 17:00.
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Line-ups
Netherlands
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Stekelenburg
- 6de Vrij
- 3de Ligt
- 17BlindSubstituted forAkéat 64′minutes
- 22Dumfries
- 15de RoonBooked at 14minsSubstituted forGravenberchat 74′minutes
- 21de Jong
- 12van AanholtSubstituted forWijndalat 65′minutes
- 8Wijnaldum
- 19WeghorstSubstituted forMalenat 64′minutes
- 10DepaySubstituted forde Jongat 82′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Veltman
- 4Aké
- 5Wijndal
- 7Berghuis
- 9de Jong
- 11Promes
- 13Krul
- 14Klaassen
- 16Gravenberch
- 18Malen
- 23Bizot
- 25Timber
Austria
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 13BachmannBooked at 67mins
- 3DragovicSubstituted forLienhartat 84′minutes
- 8AlabaBooked at 10mins
- 4Hinteregger
- 23SchlagerSubstituted forOnisiwoat 84′minutes
- 21Lainer
- 24LaimerSubstituted forGrillitschat 62′minutes
- 9Sabitzer
- 2Ulmer
- 19BaumgartnerSubstituted forLazaroat 70′minutes
- 11GregoritschSubstituted forKalajdzicat 62′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Schlager
- 6Ilsanker
- 10Grillitsch
- 12Pervan
- 15Lienhart
- 16Trimmel
- 17Schaub
- 18Schöpf
- 20Onisiwo
- 22Lazaro
- 25Kalajdzic
- 26Friedl
Live Text
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Match ends, Netherlands 2, Austria 0.
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Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, Austria 0.
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Attempt missed. Donyell Malen (Netherlands) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Stefan de Vrij following a fast break.
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Attempt missed. Sasa Kalajdzic (Austria) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
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Karim Onisiwo (Austria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands).
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Corner, Austria. Conceded by Denzel Dumfries.
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Attempt saved. Karim Onisiwo (Austria) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sasa Kalajdzic.
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Substitution, Austria. Karim Onisiwo replaces Xaver Schlager.
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Substitution, Austria. Philipp Lienhart replaces Aleksandar Dragovic.
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Attempt blocked. Sasa Kalajdzic (Austria) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Alaba with a cross.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Luuk de Jong replaces Memphis Depay.
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Attempt missed. David Alaba (Austria) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Xaver Schlager.
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Foul by Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands).
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Florian Grillitsch (Austria) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Ryan Gravenberch replaces Marten de Roon.
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Attempt missed. Memphis Depay (Netherlands) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
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Corner, Austria. Conceded by Owen Wijndal.
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Attempt missed. Sasa Kalajdzic (Austria) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Valentino Lazaro with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Austria. Conceded by Nathan Aké.
