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The Netherlands fell to a 3-2 defeat against Austria in their final Group D game in UEFA Euro 2024 on Tuesday, June 25. The results sees them drop down to third, with Austria and France qualifying for the knockouts, in that order.
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Austria made a good start to the game and looked to put early pressure on the Netherlands as they were desperate for points. They were rewarded for their initiative just six minutes into the game as Donyell Malen deflected a cross into his own net to put the Austrians a goal to the good. The Dutch tried their level best to find a response but none of their five first-half attempts were on target.
Austria, on the other hand, attempted seven shots in the first half, with three of those on target. However, they could not extend their lead and carried a slender one-goal advantage into the break.
The Netherlands were not a team to sit back and replied within minutes of the game restarting. Substitute Xavi Simons came to the party in style as he provided an assist for Cody Gakpo, who fired a precise shot into the back of the net to make it 1-1 after 47 minutes. However, their lead was short-lived as Austria found a way to get back in front.
This time it was Florian Grillitsch who found Romano Schmid as the latter scored to make it 2-1 in the 59th minute. Both managers then made several changes to their lineups as they looked to alter the course of the match. This gave the Netherlands some momentum as they pushed for an equalizer.
Wout Weghorst made another clutch substitute appearance as he provided an assist just minutes after coming on. He set up Memphis Depay with a cushioned header which was rifled into the net by the striker as the game was level at 2-2 after 75 minutes. However, Christoph Baumgartner had other plans as he set up Marcel Sabitzer to make it 3-2 to Austria in the 80th minute.
Ralf Rangnick's men hung on to secure a crucial win that sees them advance to the knockout round as group winners. Netherlands, on the other hand, will qualify as one of the four third-placed teams. On that note, let's take a look at Oranje's player ratings.
Netherlands Player Ratings
Bart Verbruggen - 7/10
He made three saves throughout the game and passed the ball with 90% accuracy as well.
Lutsharel Geertruida - 6.5/10
Geertruida had a decent game for Netherlands as he won six duels, making four tackles in the process. He also played one key pass.
Stefan de Vrij - 6/10
De Vrij had a busy outing with the Netherlands as he won five of his duels, making two clearances and two tackles.
Virgil van Dijk - 6/10
Van Dijk played fairly decent too but was caught napping as Sabitzer used him to stay onside for Austria's third goal.
Nathan Ake - 6.5/10
Ake had a decent game as he won one duel, making two clearances, two interceptions and one tackle.
Tijjani Reijders - 7.5/10
Reijnders had a fantastic game for the Netherlands in midfield. He passed the ball with 84% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won five duels and attempted two shots which were off-target.
Jerdy Schouten - 6.5/10
Schouten had a decent outing for his team as he played one key pass, won all his five duels and also attempted one shot that was blocked.
Joey Veerman - 6/10
He had an awful start to the contest and was subbed off in the first half by Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman.
Donyell Malen - 6/10
Malen scored an unfortunate own goal for the Netherlands as he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Memphis Depay - 7/10
Depay scored a lovely goal in the second half following an assist from Wout Weghorst. He also passed the ball with 88% accuracy, including one key pass and two crosses. Depay also won five duels.
Cody Gakpo - 7.5/10
Gakpo scored a timely leveler for the Netherlands with a goal just two minutes into the second half. He also played three key passes and won six total duels in a great outing.
Substitutes
Xavi Simons - 7/10
He replaced Veerman in the first half and also grabbed an assist shortly after the break. He also completed two dribble attempts and won five duels.
Micky van de Ven - 6/10
He came on in the second half but failed to make the desired impact for his team.
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6/10
Once one of the most reliable players in orange, a declining Wijnaldum failed to make an impact on the game.
Wout Weghorst - 7.5/10
Weghorst made yet another important substitute appearance as he assisted Memphis Depay's goal to make it 2-2.
