European Championship - Group C
NetherlandsNetherlands2AustriaAustria0

Netherlands 2-0 Austria: Dutch seal place in last 16 at Euro 2020

By Alex BysouthBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section European Championshipcomments73

The Netherlands booked their spot in last 16 at Euro 2020 as they saw off Austria in Amsterdam to win Group C with a game to spare.

Frank de Boer's side, who beat Ukraine in their opening fixture, look to be hitting their stride as they outclassed the visitors in front of 12,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Talisman Memphis Depay put the hosts ahead from the spot after David Alaba brought down flying wing-back Denzel Dumfries, who capped a fine performance by adding the second from a swift break in the second half.

The Dutch, who failed to qualify for the past two major tournaments, are into the knockout stages at the European Championship for the first time since 2008.

Austria started their campaign with victory over North Macedonia and their progression will be decided in the final group match against Ukraine.

De Boer came in for some criticism for using a 5-3-2 formation in the build-up but stuck with it after an entertaining 3-2 opening win against Ukraine.

He was rewarded as the Netherlands secured a place in the knockout stages at their first major tournament since reaching the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

The marauding Dumfries has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the system, playing more like a right forward, and it was the PSV Eindhoven defender who was caught in the box 10 minutes in, with the penalty given after the video assistant referee intervened.

That allowed Depay to stroke the hosts ahead with his 27th goal at international level - eight of those have come since De Boer took charge in September and he has been involved in 27 goals in the past 22 games for his country.

The Lyon forward had earlier missed a glorious chance to add to his tally, but started the move for the Netherlands' second when he sent Donyell Malen free for the substitute to unselfishly square the ball and give Dumfries a tap-in for his second of the tournament.

Matthijs de Ligt's return from a groin injury firmed up what looked a shaky Dutch backline in the opening game and Austria failed to trouble the hosts until the final 10 minutes, with Alaba firing narrowly wide.

The Netherlands will await the third-placed finisher from either Group D, E or F in the next round.

What's next?

Austria meet Ukraine and Netherlands face North Macedonia in the final round of Group C games, with both matches taking place on Monday at 17:00.

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Netherlands

Starting XI

  1. Squad number1Player nameStekelenburg
    Average rating

    6.57

  2. Squad number6Player namede Vrij
    Average rating

    6.88

  3. Squad number3Player namede Ligt
    Average rating

    7.31

  4. Squad number17Player nameBlind
    Average rating

    6.78

  5. Squad number22Player nameDumfries
    Average rating

    7.58

  6. Squad number15Player namede Roon
    Average rating

    6.47

  7. Squad number21Player namede Jong
    Average rating

    7.63

  8. Squad number12Player namevan Aanholt
    Average rating

    6.66

  9. Squad number8Player nameWijnaldum
    Average rating

    7.92

  10. Squad number19Player nameWeghorst
    Average rating

    6.31

  11. Squad number10Player nameDepay
    Average rating

    6.53

Substitutes

  1. Squad number4Player nameAké
    Average rating

    6.15

  2. Squad number5Player nameWijndal
    Average rating

    5.81

  3. Squad number9Player namede Jong
    Average rating

    5.71

  4. Squad number16Player nameGravenberch
    Average rating

    5.91

  5. Squad number18Player nameMalen
    Average rating

    6.58

Austria

Starting XI

  1. Squad number13Player nameBachmann
    Average rating

    5.68

  2. Squad number3Player nameDragovic
    Average rating

    5.12

  3. Squad number8Player nameAlaba
    Average rating

    5.70

  4. Squad number4Player nameHinteregger
    Average rating

    5.38

  5. Squad number23Player nameSchlager
    Average rating

    5.42

  6. Squad number21Player nameLainer
    Average rating

    5.16

  7. Squad number24Player nameLaimer
    Average rating

    5.17

  8. Squad number9Player nameSabitzer
    Average rating

    5.46

  9. Squad number2Player nameUlmer
    Average rating

    4.89

  10. Squad number19Player nameBaumgartner
    Average rating

    5.11

  11. Squad number11Player nameGregoritsch
    Average rating

    4.78

Substitutes

  1. Squad number10Player nameGrillitsch
    Average rating

    4.94

  2. Squad number15Player nameLienhart
    Average rating

    4.89

  3. Squad number20Player nameOnisiwo
    Average rating

    4.69

  4. Squad number22Player nameLazaro
    Average rating

    5.17

  5. Squad number25Player nameKalajdzic
    Average rating

    4.81

Line-ups

Netherlands

Formation 3-4-1-2

  • 1Stekelenburg
  • 6de Vrij
  • 3de Ligt
  • 17BlindSubstituted forAkéat 64'minutes
  • 22Dumfries
  • 15de RoonBooked at 14minsSubstituted forGravenberchat 74'minutes
  • 21de Jong
  • 12van AanholtSubstituted forWijndalat 65'minutes
  • 8Wijnaldum
  • 19WeghorstSubstituted forMalenat 64'minutes
  • 10DepaySubstituted forde Jongat 82'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Veltman
  • 4Aké
  • 5Wijndal
  • 7Berghuis
  • 9de Jong
  • 11Promes
  • 13Krul
  • 14Klaassen
  • 16Gravenberch
  • 18Malen
  • 23Bizot
  • 25Timber

Austria

Formation 3-1-4-2

  • 13BachmannBooked at 67mins
  • 3DragovicSubstituted forLienhartat 84'minutes
  • 8AlabaBooked at 10mins
  • 4Hinteregger
  • 23SchlagerSubstituted forOnisiwoat 84'minutes
  • 21Lainer
  • 24LaimerSubstituted forGrillitschat 62'minutes
  • 9Sabitzer
  • 2Ulmer
  • 19BaumgartnerSubstituted forLazaroat 70'minutes
  • 11GregoritschSubstituted forKalajdzicat 62'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Schlager
  • 6Ilsanker
  • 10Grillitsch
  • 12Pervan
  • 15Lienhart
  • 16Trimmel
  • 17Schaub
  • 18Schöpf
  • 20Onisiwo
  • 22Lazaro
  • 25Kalajdzic
  • 26Friedl
Referee:
Orel Grinfeld

Match Stats

Home TeamNetherlandsAway TeamAustria
Possession
Home47%
Away53%
Shots
Home14
Away9
Shots on Target
Home4
Away1
Corners
Home2
Away5
Fouls
Home13
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Netherlands 2, Austria 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, Austria 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Donyell Malen (Netherlands) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Stefan de Vrij following a fast break.

  4. Post update

    Attempt missed. Sasa Kalajdzic (Austria) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.

  5. Post update

    Karim Onisiwo (Austria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands).

  7. Post update

    Corner, Austria. Conceded by Denzel Dumfries.

  8. Post update

    Attempt saved. Karim Onisiwo (Austria) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sasa Kalajdzic.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, Austria. Karim Onisiwo replaces Xaver Schlager.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Austria. Philipp Lienhart replaces Aleksandar Dragovic.

  11. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Sasa Kalajdzic (Austria) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Alaba with a cross.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Netherlands. Luuk de Jong replaces Memphis Depay.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. David Alaba (Austria) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Xaver Schlager.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands).

  15. Post update

    Florian Grillitsch (Austria) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Netherlands. Ryan Gravenberch replaces Marten de Roon.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Memphis Depay (Netherlands) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

  18. Post update

    Corner, Austria. Conceded by Owen Wijndal.

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Sasa Kalajdzic (Austria) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Valentino Lazaro with a cross following a corner.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Austria. Conceded by Nathan Aké.

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Comments

Join the conversation

73 comments

  • Comment posted by Your Comment, today at 22:21

    Good, the Australians lost today.

    Well done to the Dutch for beating them.

  • Comment posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, today at 22:17

    The Netherlands could be dark horses in this tournament and go a long way if they can be more clinical in front of goal. These misses could hurt them against more powerful teams.

    • Reply posted by La mitad mas que Indio, today at 22:19

      La mitad mas que Indio replied:
      only problem? Even when misfiring, they're scoring 2-3 goals a game. It's the defense which is more concerning, as it needs to be more consistent.

  • Comment posted by The Dragon, today at 22:16

    I dream of the days when John Motson, Barry Davies, Brian Moore and Peter Brackley were able to commentate on a match without the incessant chipping in of a minor achieving former player. It's like sitting next to the nutter in the pub who insists on telling you how he was better than Messi. For those old enough to remember Harry Enfield, Jermaine Jenas is Mr You Didn't Want To Do It Like That.

  • Comment posted by LondonsFinestClub, today at 22:16

    The Dutch cruised tonight. If Van Dycke was fit, they would be serious contenders. However, they look light up front and can be caught by quick wingers. Austria weren’t slick enough. Nice football though by the Dutch, they have three or four world class players.

  • Comment posted by Mick Tobin, today at 22:16

    Looking forward to Netherlands vs Belgium, that could be classic (it's 'the derby of the low countries'), although to beat this Belgian team I think the Dutch need to go up a notch.

  • Comment posted by Zoomy, today at 22:15

    Italy, Portugal, France and Holland have stepped it up and shown that steady Eddie isn’t going to be good enough. We now need to step it up. Don’t just let the likes of Foden and Sancho take people on, but insist they do. Just one from Rice, Henderson and Phillips. We have to be braver and more creatively dominant.

  • Comment posted by Maverick, today at 22:13

    This comment was removed because it broke the rules. Explain

    • Reply posted by Redallover, today at 22:18

      Redallover replied:
      Battle of Hastings fixed!!! England lost in 1066!!

  • Comment posted by Mr truth, today at 22:11

    That Dumfries has been involved with all 5 goals the Netherlands have scored. Bit naive defensively, especially with his positioning and awareness of what is going on behind him, but he has a great engine, speedy and is strong in the air. Add to that his knack of finding space in the box and you can see why he's a handful.

    Austria look like Stoke City who have loaned out a player from Bayern.

  • Comment posted by Rob Miller, today at 22:10

    Shame on the BBC stating that The Netherlands have won group C with a game to spare. They haven't won group C until they get a point against North Macedonia. Earlier on this page had them top of the group despite having an inferior goal difference to Austria after one game. Totally unprofessional.

    • Reply posted by Ben, today at 22:14

      Ben replied:
      Where teams are tied on points it goes to head to head rather than goal difference. So Netherlands have won the group as they've already beaten the only two teams who can get to 6 points. Same reason they were ahead of Austria before.

  • Comment posted by Abi, today at 22:09

    Dutch cheese 2, Apple strudel 0. Good ebbening.

  • Comment posted by finnharpsman, today at 22:08

    van Aanholt would be brilliant for Leeds in place of Alioski.

  • Comment posted by La mitad mas que Indio, today at 22:08

    ...considering there were very low expectations on this Dutch team, so very well done, and now the Dutch could be one of the favorites, seeing as they now seemingly know how to defend properly! Now we'll see whether England can join them.

  • Comment posted by Richard, today at 22:08

    This comment was removed because it broke the rules. Explain

    • Reply posted by Tommy, today at 22:13

      Tommy replied:
      Yes he is terrible even on Match of The Day,my mute button is always on when he commentes Lol

  • Comment posted by pompey dave, today at 22:07

    Not the best game of the day , Austria were poor and the Dutch were coasting. Looking forward to England v Scotland for tomorrow , commitment and passion won't be so lacking I suspect .

  • Comment posted by La mitad mas que Indio, today at 22:06

    I have to admit, I expected to see Netherlands fail to win this group because of De Boer, but I will happily congratulate them(love the Netherlands having lived in Amsterdam for 7 years) for going into the last-16 and winning the group. I thought De Boer would bungle it badly, especially with the Nations League debacle and the start to the WC qualifications, but are surprised by this progress...

    • Reply posted by Rob Miller, today at 22:13

      Rob Miller replied:
      they haven't won the group yet

  • Comment posted by dave, today at 22:05

    Austria were appalling. Negative and utterly useless. Playing the best player at the back. If I was Austrian i would rather lose having a go, than just lose doing less than nothing. P A N T S!!!!!!

  • Comment posted by Pelesfoot, today at 22:05

    Austria are a bit lightweight and sometime tedious to watch

  • Comment posted by Tommy, today at 22:04

    Well done Holland my two favorite players scored too Depay and Dumfries nice goals lads great we are in the last 16.

    • Reply posted by finnharpsman, today at 22:06

      finnharpsman replied:
      Depay scored a penalty and he missed a sitter from 6 yards.
      Well done Dumfries.

  • Comment posted by goldfish4, today at 22:02

    Dutch were very good but should have scored more. Austria badly organised and clueless in attack. reasonable game to watch.

As It Stands

A

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Italy22006066
2Wales21103124
3Switzerland201114-31
4Turkey200205-50

B

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Belgium22005146
2Russia210113-23
3Finland21011103
4Denmark200213-20

C

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Netherlands22005236
2Ukraine21014403
3Austria21013303
4North Macedonia200225-30

D

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Czech Rep11002023
2England11001013
3Croatia100101-10
4Scotland100102-20

E

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Slovakia11002113
2Spain10100001
3Sweden10100001
4Poland100112-10

F

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Portugal11003033
2France11001013
3Germany100101-10
4Hungary100103-30
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