After the victory of Ukraine against North Macedonia (2-1) and that of Belgium against Denmark (2-1), this day ended with a very good poster between the Netherlands and Austria in group C, on the lawn of Johan Cruijff ArenA from Amsterdam. After winning their first match, the two selections wanted to continue. On the Dutch side, a victory was synonymous with the round of 16 while in front, the Austrians could get closer. Frank de Boer started with a 5-3-2 with Weghorst and Depay in front. On the Austrian side, Franco Fada left a flat 4-4-2 with his captain Alaba mid-left on paper.
Faced with their home crowd, the Oranjes wasted no time in gaining possession of the ball and offering some interesting sequences. And finally, on a foray on the right side, the meeting was already tilted with a penalty following an Alaba foul on Dumfries, after consultation with the VAR. Charged with the penalties, Depay took the ball and opened the scoring low (11th, 1-0). The Dutch managed the start of the match well, marked by some technical errors on both sides. Depay, again, came close to the double by finding the small net (24th), while Baumgartner responded with the first Austrian opportunity (28th). But it was clearly the only opportunity for Austria, dominated in the first half.
Dumfries, two goals in two matches
Because just before the break, the Oranjes finished well and on a service from Weghorst, Depay missed out in front of the empty goal (40th). Captain Wijnaldum was countered with a curled shot (41st). Austria could only do better in the second half, but the face of the match did not change, with Dutch domination. The proof just after the hour mark with this rescue of Bachmann in front of De Vrij, while De Ligt then missed the frame (61st). But the Austrian was only delaying the deadline. Because on a counter, Malen presented himself against Bachamnn before shifting Dumfries, already a scorer against Ukraine, for the goal of 2-0 (67th).
With two goals ahead, Frank de Boer’s players were inevitably more liberated but Austria did not let go, and Kalajdzic saw his blocked header pass narrowly (71st). Faulty on the penalty, Alaba then tried to catch up with a heavy shot that grazed the opposite post (82nd). Behind, the changes followed but the score did not change. Thanks to this second success, the Netherlands validated their ticket for the next round, and this before the last match of the group stage against North Macedonia. Austria will play a small final against Ukraine.
The schedule of group C fair here.
