BY Jonathan Ledger
The Netherlands scored once in each half to overcome Austria and secure a spot in the round of 16 of the EURO 2020 on Thursday night, thanks to goals from Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries.
Frank de Boer’s side becomes the third country to advance into the knockout round, joining Italy and Belgium.
Depay expertly dispatched a penalty in the 11th minute in front of 12,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
The spot-kick was awarded after David Alaba, new Real Madrid recruit, brought down Dumfries in the box.
Dumfries, the flying wing-back who has been excellent in the tournament, added the second from a swift counterattack in the second half.
Netherlands are in their first knockout phase in the European championships in 13 years.
In the other encounter of the day, Belgium overcame Denmark 2-1 to advance into the knockout phase, thanks to second-half goals from Thogan Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne that cancelled Yussuf Poulsen’s second-minute opener for the Danes.
The match was however notable for the 10th-minute tribute to Christian Eriksen, Denmark playmaker who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in their first game against Finland.
The Inter Milan is currently recuperating in the hospital.
While a large-sized Denmark jersey of Eriksen was unfurled before the start of the encounter, play was stopped in the minute corresponding to his jersey number to celebrate his survival.
Bjorn Kuipers, the center referee, stopped play and both sides joined the 25,000 crowd at the Parken stadium to give a minute applause to Eriksen.
RESULTS
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