The Netherlands sealed a 100% winning record in the Euro 2020 group stage with a comfortable 3-0 win over North Macedonia.
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, now of PSG, netted a brace to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrick Schick at the top of the competition’s scorers table, while Memphis Depay is also on the scoresheet as the Oranje dominated Group C in style.
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Wijnaldum is now co-top scorer in Euro 2020 with Cristiano Ronaldo
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Pandev, who made his debut for North Macedonia in 2001, called the time a stellar career for his country after the game.
Ryan Gravenberch, who was making his first competitive start for the Netherlands, curled a first shot over the bar for the hosts as they marked their procedural authority from the start.
North Macedonia had the ball in the net minutes later after Goran Pandev, making his final appearance for his country, pushed Ivan Trickovski home, before he was ruled out for offside.
Trickovski teamed up brilliantly with Pandev just over ten minutes later as he played a well-worked one-two with the veteran striker before scratching an effort against the bar.
But it was the Netherlands who took the lead moments later when Memphis Depay shot in the opener after being taken in by Donyell Malen.
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Depay ran the ragged North Macedonian back line
Denzel Dumfries nearly doubled the Netherlands’ lead on the half hour, but for a superb save from North Macedona goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
Dumfries, who scored two goals in Holland’s opening two games, couldn’t shoot from close range.
At the break, the Netherlands arguably had the worst odds – something few would have predicted before kick-off.
Matthijs de Ligt had the best luck in the opening moments of the second half, with his header cleared from the line by Trichkovski.
But a moment of Depay magic opened up North Macedonia once again.
The new Barcelona man has found space on the left to pass to Georginio Wijnaldum, now PSG, to shoot at home.
Wijnaldum had his second minutes later as he arrived at the perfect spot to tap Depay’s rebounded home effort at home.
Incredibly, it was the 30-year-old’s 26th goal in 78 appearances for his country and turned out to be the hosts’ last goal at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Ukraine 0-1 Austria
Elsewhere, Austria advanced to the round of 16 at a European Championship for the first time in history after a 1-0 win over Ukraine.
Having reached the group stages in 2008 and then 2016, Christoph Baumgartner ensured that he would never have to pay for a beer in Vienna again with a head well placed to sink Andriy Shevchenko’s men.
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Baumgartner may never have to pay for a beer in Austria again!
This means Austria will take on imperious Italy at Wembley on Saturday night, a task no European team will like, but Franco Foda’s men were sharp up front and strong defensively at the back.
With David Alaba at the helm of the defense and Marcel Sabitzer providing the offensive impetus up front, Austria will certainly not be child’s play in this tournament.
It could have been a much easier task for Austria if Marko Arnautovic had left a simple chance in the first half, but he missed out on a glorious opportunity with the gaping goal.
Matt Holland watched the game for talkSPORT 2 and was stunned by the former West Ham player’s inability to put the ball in the net.
“This is a golden opportunity,” said Holland. “It should be two.
“It’s a brilliant break with Ukraine and the space was there. It was on a plate and they could not take advantage of it, Austria should lead 2-0.
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