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Netherlands crashed out of Euro 2020 after a shock 2-0 loss to Czech Republic in a Round-of-16 game in Budapest. Tomas Holes and Patrik Schick scored in the second half after Matthijs de Ligt was sent off for the Oranje.
Both sides played out a lively opening stanza without coming close to scoring. De Ligt denying Antonin Barak with a last-ditch block was arguably the best chance for either team in that period.
However, the Netherlands centre-back was sent off just ten minutes after the restart for a clear obstruction of the ball with his hand. After that Czech Republic took control of the game.
Holes put the Czechs in front after heading a cross from Tomas Kalas from close range. He then punished the Netherlands for a defensive mistake by putting Schick through on goal.
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Following their win over the tournament favourites, Czech Republic will now face Denmark in the quarter-finals in Baku on Saturday. On that note, here are the five key talking points from the game:
#5 Czech Republic produce the first real upset of Euro 2020
Czech Republic have produced the first real shocker of Euro 2020. While there have been a few surprise results along the way - Hungary drawing against both France and Germany, Scotland holding England, and Finland beating Denmark, none of them counted as a major upset.
But Czech Republic knocking out a European powerhouse like the Netherlands is truly an upset. The odds were stacked firmly against them. But Jaroslav Silhavy's team had other ideas and scripted the most unexpected result of the competition on the back of a truly incredible performance.
#4 Netherlands' De Ligt goes from protagonist to villain
Matthijs de Ligt had quite a game. He produced an excellent, last-ditch block in the first half to deny Antonin Barak but left them in the lurch after the break with a blatant hand-ball that got him sent off.
The Netherlands defender, while tussling for the ball with Schick near the Dutch box, palmed it away. The referee reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and turned his yellow into a red for the young Dutchman.
That was a turning point in the game, as the Netherlands played over half an hour with a numerical disadvantage, something the Czech Republic made the most of.
#3 Netherlands' high-tempo start fizzles out
It was Netherlands who started the match brightly against Czech Republic but ran out of steam after a while.
During the game's initial exchanges, Frank de Boer's side looked full of vigour and came out at full pelt. Netherlands moved the ball around quickly and created a few half-chances.
The match seemed to play out according to script, but Netherlands' high-tempo soon fizzled out, and Czech Republic started to gain a foothold of the game. Their strategy was to build out wide and send crosses into the right. But the Netherlands repeatedly came up short, and that pushed them on the back foot following a period of high-octane, fast tempo action.
#2 Netherlands pay the price for defensive frailties
It was clear from their opening game that Netherlands had issues in their defence. While they managed to get away with that in the group stage, Czech Republic had the quality to capitalise on Netherlands' frailties ruthlessly.
The Czechs continually targetted the left side, particularly the gap between Daley Blind and Patrick van Aanholt, who stationed himself much further ahead. De Ligt's sending off only made Czech Republic's job easier.
While their first goal came through a set-piece, wherein the Netherlands showed poor marking, the second was triggered by Holes. He pounced on a loose ball and darted forward in the acres of space afforded to him by Netherlands before laying off for Schick to finish.
#1 Czech Republic script another underdog triumph at Euro 2020
The performances of the so-called smaller teams in the knockout stage of Euro 2020 has been truly impressive thus far.
Austria pushed Italy into extra time and ended their long clean sheet run after Denmark crushed Wales earlier in the day. Now, Czech Republic have eliminated a potential Euro 2020 finalist in the Round of 16 to set up a clash with the Danes for a place in the semi-finals.
Although the group stage at Euro 2020 produced no big surprises, the knockout round has been absolutely rollicking thus far.
