Netherlands and Austria Are Through.
The Netherlands produced a wonderful game to maintain their 100% record in the group by gaining 9 points from a possible of 9. Delay produced his masterclass performance to justify his Barcelona link up. North Macedonia couldn't do much to prevent the consistent Netherlands on the day.
Delay showed class and quick feet early on in the 10th minute when he got himself into the box and tried to pick out his teammate only for the effort to be blocked and cleared out. On the other end too, Trajkovski produced a lovely audacious shot after Pandev found him just outside the box. His shot struck the upright. It was the closest North Macedonia got in the game.
3 minutes after, in the 24th minute, Malen and Depay combined so well to set up Depay who brilliantly slot home to register the first goal of the game. Depth should have gotten his second goal after his individual brilliant effort to beat his marker. He tried again to pick out his teammate in the box but the ball was blocked off.
De Ligt also had his lovely header cleared by another timely header from Ristovski on the line but the second goal of the game came for the Netherlands when Depay found Wijnaldum who only had to produce an easy tap in. It was a good team effort and Depay expertly picked him out while Wijnaldum did so well to position himself for that tap in.
2-0 soon turned into 3-0 in the 58th minute - 7 minutes after the last goal when Depay fired a shot at the goalkeeper who saved the initial shot but was unable to save the rebound from Wijnaldum who was on hand to gather the rebound and score his second goal of the game and Netherlands' 3rd.
Luuk De Jong should have made it 4-0 in the 67th minute when he was played through and right in the box, his shot rattled the crossbar rather than go into the back of the net.
The game ended 3-0 in favour of the Netherlands while Austria managed to get the goal needed to nick the 3 points against Ukraine. Baumgartner scored the solitary goal against Ukraine in the 21st minute which gave Austria the needed win to get out of the group stage.
Here is how the table stands:
Netherlands - 9 Points
Austria - 6 Points
Ukraine - 3 Points
North Macedonia - 0 Point.
I managed to get only one reduction right here as with Group A as well. I went with Netherlands and Ukraine for this group but I only got the Netherlands right. Austria showed more fight and spirit to qualify for the next round and they deserved it.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
This Netherland's squad is full of young creative people with some experienced. They are also one of the most balanced team. So they can hope for a trophy almost three decade later.
They are young and hungry. I like them.
Nitherland has best players
They have good players.