Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times
The Netherlands and Ukraine played one of the most exciting matches of Euro 2020 up till now, with the Dutch returning to a big tournament with a 3-2 victory over the visitors in Amsterdam on Sunday.
The Netherlands competed in its first major soccer tournament in seven years. The last time they were in the semifinals was in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Georginio Wijnaldum of the Netherlands scored first in the 52nd minute, and Weghorst extended the lead just seven minutes later. But Ukraine struck back in the 75th and 79th minutes, respectively, with goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Yarmolenko. Ukraine captain Yaremchuk’s goal was Ukraine’s first in six Euro final tournament matches.
Most Dutch fans were shocked when their team conceded the goals, but they regained their voices barely five minutes before full time when Denzel Dumfries’ header secured the deal for the Netherlands. It was Dumfries’ first goal in international football.
The Dutch rightfully took the lead in the 52nd minute when captain Georginio Wijnaldum hammered a loose ball high into the net, and striker Wout Weghorst doubled the lead six minutes later with a scruffy finish.
Dumfries had missed a clear chance to score the game’s first goal with a wayward header late in the first half, but he more than made up for it with his late shot, which was aided by inconsistent goalkeeping by Ukraine’s Georgi Bushchan.
The Netherlands have won six and drawn four of their previous 11 international matches, while Ukraine has lost for the first time in seven matches, losing for the first time this calendar year after conceding for the first time in three encounters.
On Thursday, the Netherlands will face Austria, while Ukraine takes on North Macedonia in Bucharest. In a previous Group C encounter, Austria defeated North Macedonia 3-1.