Amsterdam: The Netherlands beat Austria for 2-0, with Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries scoring at Johan Cruyff Arena. With one more game to spare, the team reached the last 16 of Euro 2020 from Group C.
The Netherlands won a penalty just into the game, as David Alaba fouled Dumfries inside the box. Depay took the chance to score. Depay struck again from a tight angle in the 4th minute but missed the target and rattled the outside of the netting. Four minutes later, Austria pulled out a vital attack with a quick combination through the lines, but Christoph Baumgartner's shot on target got blocked by Matthijs de Ligt.
The Netherlands created a few more opportunities in the closing minutes of the first half but failed to execute them to success. Both Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum were able to kick the score up as they got promising chances but couldn't.
After the interval, Netherlands defended deep and cleared their lines with long balls out of their territory while Austria took an attacking strategy. But the latter couldn't create gaps in its opposition's defence and got shot again in the 67th minute by Dumfries. Doynell Malenm, who was fielded 3 minutes before, raced down the left wing and crossed to the far post where Dumfries scored into an empty goal.
Austria kept their efforts to hit back, but the Netherlands' defence was too strong for the former, and the Netherlands won.
Austria's head coach commented that the team was well organised but weren't clinical enough in the final third. Meanwhile, Netherlands' defender Matthijs de Ligt said that although his team didn't create much, it was in control. They didn't give Austria many chances, he added.
On Monday, Netherlands have their next match with North Macedonia, and Austria will play against Ukraine in an all-or-nothing game.