Netherlands complete clean sweep, Austria finish runners-up
22 June, 2021
Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice and Memphis Depay put into his goal haul in a 3-0 Netherlands make an impression on North Macedonia on Monday to keep their 100% record at Euro 2020 - however, not before surviving some early scares at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Austria defeated dismal Ukraine 1-0 on Monday to finish runners-up in Group C.
The Dutch had already secured top place in Group C but emphasised their dominance with a full haul of points as North Macedonia exited the tournament with none.
Depay opened the scoring in the first half and Wijnaldum added two in the space of seven minutes to just do it of Marco van Basten on the set of his country's scorers.
The captain now has 25 goals for holland, who check out Budapest because of their last-16 match on Sunday against one of the best third-placed finishers from Groups D, E or F.
North Macedonia offered plucky intent at creating an upset and had the ball in the Dutch net early, limited to Ivan Trickovski to be ruled off side. Aleksandar Trajkovski then smashed in a robust shot that had Dutch goalkeeper Marten Stekelenburg beaten but thundered back out off the post.
Instead the house side took the lead in the 24th minute, albeit amid some controversy, as a tackle from Daley Blind on Goran Pandev setup a counter attack, swiftly executed with Donyell Malen and Depay combining prior to the latter saved the ball.
A VAR check, however, found Blind's tackle was legal, much to the disgust of the Macedonians.
Straight after half-time, Matthijs de Ligt had a powerful header cleared off the line by Trickovski as the Dutch served notice of a far more determined approach. Wijnaldum then doubled the score six minutes in to the half as Depay set him up to complete from close range.
CONFIDENT PASSING
More of their confident passing allowed Wijnaldum another goal in the 58th minute, with Depay once more the provider, and the skipper might have completed a hattrick four minutes thereafter, but he shot wide.
Substitute Wout Weghorst crashed the ball against the bar along with his first touch after coming on but North Macedonia were able to pull down the shutters going back 20 minutes.
The Dutch, who also won in the group against Ukraine and Austria, have finally scored at least two goals within their last 10 internationals in a run stretching back to November. Austria finished second in the group by beating Ukraine 1-0 in Bucharest as well.
North Macedonia captain Pandev, 37, went off with some 22 minutes left by the end of a 20-year international career and was accorded a guard of honour by substitutes and team officials on the touchline. He had announced his intention to retire ahead of Monday's match but had little impact on his final outing.
Austria advance to last 16 with make an impression on Ukraine
Christoph Baumgartner's first half goal sealed a slice of history for Austria because they defeated dismal Ukraine 1-0 on Monday to complete runners-up in Group C and seal a first ever place in the last 16 of the European Championship.
Austria could actually celebrate their achievement, however the result leaves Ukraine sweating on what looks a slim chance they will be among the four best third-placed teams and in addition earn their place in the knockout stages.
Baumgartner turned in David Alaba's corner midway through the first half as Austria profited from a lacklustre display from Ukraine, who battled to find fluidity when it seemingly mattered most in the tournament.
The Netherlands, who beat North Macedonia 3-0 in their final game, top the group with a full haul of nine points from their three games, while Austria are second on six points and Ukraine have three, and a poor goal-difference.
Austria might not be celebrating for long though because they face in-form Italy within the last 16 in London on Saturday, approaching against Roberto Mancini's team that are unbeaten within their last 30 internationals and who've not conceded in 11 games.
Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko will be bewildered with the limp showing of his side - they did, in the end, finish top of their qualifying pool, picking right up 20 points from their eight games - three more than holders Portugal. However they showed none of this tenacity against their workmanlike opponents.
Austria made the first running and went ahead on 21 minutes through a simply-worked goal. Alaba's corner delivery reached Baumgartner, who had moved before his marker and prodded the ball in to the net.
Ukraine largely wasted what possession they had with misplaced passes but created a rare opening right before the half-hour mark when Mykola Shaparenko's shot was beaten away by Austria goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and Andriy Yarmolenko narrowly didn't get onto the rebound.
Marko Arnautovic, back the medial side after a suspension, spurned an excellent chance to double the lead prior to the break when he found himself unmarked in the box, but cannot get yourself a solid connection on an inviting cross from Alessandro Schopf and the ball dribbled wide.
Ukraine were brighter in the beginning of the second half and showed more ambition to get forward and put Austria under pressure.
But too little accuracy with their passing continued to hamper the side and the only time they looked threatening was from occasional set-piece opportunities.
Even in the closing stages, as the minutes ticked away, Ukraine never appeared as if getting the goal that could have meant they finished above the Austrians.
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