The Netherlands has shaken off its doubts in its opening match against Ukraine. It played fresh from the liver for a long time and also scored 2 times, but suddenly Ukraine stood up and equalized via Yaremchuk. Dumfries eventually ensured the liberation for Orange.
Netherlands – Ukraine in a nutshell:
- Key moment: After a strong game, the Netherlands seemed to be left with a meager point, but Dumfries decided otherwise with the late 3-2.
- Man of the match: Denzel Dumfries was a scourge for the Ukrainian defense and had a foot in all Dutch goals, although he also missed two big chances before the break.
- Remarkable: For the Netherlands, this is the first victory in a European Championship final round since the group stage of the European Championship 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.
Strong Orange can’t score before the break
The match started off with a bang. Ukraine immediately attacked, but ran on a quick Dutch counter, just not completed by Depay. It was the signal for a dazzling start for the Orange squad, with excellent opportunities for Dumfries and Wijnaldum.
Ukraine came out of the Dutch storm unscathed and was able to break out of the encirclement after fifteen minutes. Yaremchuk signed for Ukraine’s first goal attempt, a cracked shot in the hands of Stekelenburg.
After a short breather, the Dutch attack line went into overdrive again. Also now Wijnaldum and Dumfries came closest to the opening goal, but scoring did not work for the Dutch, who after a strong first half went to the dressing rooms with an unsatisfied feeling.
Five goals in spectacular second half
In the second half, the Orange was nevertheless rewarded for the effort. Wijnaldum received the ball from the Ukrainian goalkeeper and scored the deserved 1-0, Weghorst was already there before the hour with the 2-0, again thanks to the preparatory work of Dumfries.
With a double lead on the board, the Netherlands slowed down a bit. Ukraine gave a battered impression and seemed ripe for the slaughter, until Jarmolenko suddenly conjured a huge icicle from his slippers. He was given all the space to play and painted the ball wonderfully in the top corner: 2-1.
And what nobody thought possible, actually happened: ten minutes before the whistle, Yaremchuk made it 2-2 with a nice header. Consternation and disbelief in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, but this match had one last plot twist in store. Dumfries, even involved in the first two goals, still won the Orange squad: 3-2 after a great football evening.
Wijnaldum: “Fortunately, the 3-2 fell, but it could have been different”
- Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands): “It was frustrating that the goal was delayed for so long, but you better have chances because if you don’t get the chances, you can’t score. We knew that if we continued like this, the goal would eventually fall. We want to forward players, so we also give energy to the audience and we get that back from them. I think we did a nice job.”
- Georgino Wijnaldum (Netherlands): “We played a good game, but in 10 minutes we give away 2 chances and it is equal to 2 goals. Then they gain confidence and we have to go after it again. We continued to look for the 3-2 with confidence. Fortunately, it fell , but it could have been different. We have to learn how to play such a match. That is an area for improvement.”
- 90+6′ second half
- 90+3′
- 90+3′
- 90+1′
- 90′
Dumfries is the Dutch hero with the late 3-2
- 89′
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- 88′
- 85′
- 85′
- 84′
Party in Ghent! Yaremchuk actually heads Ukraine at 2-2
- 80′
- 79′
- 79′
- 79′
wow! Jarmolenko once again creates tension with a beautiful goal: 2-1
- 75′
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- 71′
