The Czech Republic beat the Netherlands 2-0 in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 (Euro 2021) at the Puskas Arena Stadium, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday (27/6).
De Oranje’s squad was active in attacking since the beginning of the match. Donyell Malen, Denzel Dumfries and Memphis Depay forced the Czech players to always be vigilant.
While Czechs dared to play openly. Tomas Soucek, Patrik Schick, and Antonin Barak had a chance to break into the Dutch goal in the first half.
Unlike in the early half of the match, the Dutch did not immediately try to kick Czech defense. However, in the 51st minute, Malen had a golden opportunity when he faced one on one with goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. Vaclik’s dexterity is the key for Czechs not to concede.
Two minutes later referee Sergei Karasev issued a yellow card to Matthijs De Ligt who did a handsball during a duel with Schick.
Moments later, through the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee, Karasev issued a red card to De Ligt for being considered the last person to intentionally handball to hinder Schick’s chances.
Czech trying to take advantage of the number of players. An opportunity that was present in the 64th minute from Pavel Kaderabek failed to be completed properly. Dumfries was still able to read the direction of the ball that Kaderabek wanted to release from inside the penalty box.
A chance from set pieces was cleared by Tomas Holes in the 68th minute to put Czechs 1-0 up. Free kick from near where the corner went to the far post. Tomas Kalas headed the ball into the net and Holes completed the chance. A group of Dutch players who were at the near post could not prevent the ball from entering the goal.
Entering the 79th minute, Lukas Masopust tried to complete the opportunity with placing shots, but Maarten Stekelenbug was still quite good at reading the direction of the ball.
A minute later Holes intercepted the line of attack that the Dutch were trying to build. Acceleration Holes then ended with a pass to Schick. Czech striker fired a shot that made the ball nest for the second time in the Dutch goal.
The line-up for the Netherlands vs Czech Republic:
Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg; Stefan De Vrij, Matthijs De Ligt, Daley Blind; Denzel Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, Patrick Van Aanholt; Georginio Wijnaldum; Memphis Depay, Donyell Malen
Czech: Tomas Vaclik; Vladimir Coufal, Ondrej Celustka, Tomas Kalas, Pavel Kaderabek; Petr Sevcik, Tomas Soucek; Luke Masopust, Tomas Holes, Antonin Barak; Patrik Schick
