Frank De Boer’s Netherlands have risen above expectations at the Euro 2020. While many expected them to be one of the major disappointments of the tournament, they have instead remained perfect so far in the competition. They are joined by Austria in the knockouts.
A Georginio Wijnaldum double helped the Netherlands beat North Macedonia in Group C of the UEFA Euro 2020. Frank De Boer’s men won their third straight group game, as a result, and are through to the round-of-16 as group winners.
Memphis Depay scored the first of the three goals, putting the finishing touch at the end of an excellent counterattack. Wijnaldum then popped up with a double after the break. His first came as a result of excellent work down the left side by Depay, who laid the ball on a plate for his teammate to tap in. Depay was instrumental in the Netherlands’ third goal as well; Stole Dimitrievski saved his effort, but Wijnaldum converted the rebound.
Meanwhile, in the other group game, Austria faced Ukraine in a winner takes all tie. The former took the lead in the 21st minute of the match when Hoffenheim’s Christoph Baumgartner diverted a David Alaba corner into the net. Marko Arnautovic then wasted a couple of glorious opportunities to extend Austria’s lead. However, they didn’t prove costly in the end as Franco Foda’s men held onto their slender lead.
Austria join the Netherlands in the round of 16 but have a monumentally difficult task ahead of him. Alaba and Co will face Italy in the knockouts, the latter one of the standout sides of the tournament so far.
