The Czech Republic stunned the top ten Netherlands to book their place in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals and won a 2-0 victory over the heavy favorites on Sunday.
Oranje started the game at a frantic pace, with Denzel Dumfries close, only for Tomas Kalas to block his goal-oriented strike. The Czech Republic entered the game after a nervous opening in the 20th minute and Antonin Barak had a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock, but Matthijs de Ligt threw himself in front of the shot to divert it over the crossbar.
The second half broke out in life after five minutes, when Donyell Malen ran through the Czech defense and tried to round the goalkeeper, but Tomas Vaclik stood firm. Seconds later, the game turned upside down.
De Ligt fell into possession, slipped and handled the ball to deny Patrik Schick a clear goal scorer. The referee initially awarded a yellow card, but after consulting the touchline monitor, he reversed his decision and sent out the Juventus star.
It turned out to be costly, as the Czechs went on for 13 minutes later. A deep cross traveled all the way to the back post, Tomas Kalas nodded the ball back over the goal, and Tomas Holes was on hand to drive a nod inside the near post.
On the points side again / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Underdogs buried the Netherlands for 80 minutes, after Holes won possession in the Dutch half, cut the ball back and Schick sipped in to stop the ball past a peeled shocked Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Czech Republic watched the game to claim a famous victory, book their place in the quarterfinals and send the Netherlands home in the most surprising way.
Let’s check out the players’ ratings from this epic Euro 2020 meeting.
Rejected / Tibor Illyes – Pool / Getty Images
Maarten Stekelenburg (GK) – 5/10 – Spilled a simple cross that led to persistent pressure, and the Czech Republic got its reward. Allow the other inside his close post.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) – 6/10 – Defended well until he was left exposed by De Ligt’s dismissal. Let the cross come in for the killer target.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 5/10 – A titan until his slip and handball forced the referee to produce a red card. A tough one to take, but probably fair. So expensive and oh, so cruel.
Daley Blind (CB) – 5/10 – The tide could not be stopped after the red card. Didn’t cover fast enough to stop the second goal.
Leda team / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Denzel Dumfries (RWB) – 6/10 – Poped everywhere, threw himself at crosses and competed on through balls. Good block to deny a specific goal in the second half. Broken when the Netherlands fell behind.
Frenkie de Jong (CM) – 6/10 – Kept everything moving in style during the first half. Grew frustrated when certain decisions did not go his way. Furious at the end of the match.
Georginio Wijnaldum (AM) – 5/10 – Blow into the box to get to the end of intersections. Traced by the Czech midfield. Pretty anonymous, in truth. Lazy in the midfield for the last shot.
Marten de Roon (CM) – 6/10 – Made the less attractive parts of the game, challenged Soucek into the air and jumped into tackles. Not the best.
Patrick van Aanholt (LWB) – 5/10 – Whipped in some powerful crosses from the left and needed no invitation to fly forward. Not quite on the technical level for his teammates, and fought defensively.
A missed opportunity / Attila Kisebenedek – Pool / Getty Images
Donyell Malen (ST) – 5/10 – Wasted the best chance of the game when he was in goal and tried to round the goalkeeper. De Ligt was sent off minutes later and Malen was subsequently subbed. Turning point.
Memphis Depay (ST) – 6/10 – Tried to give the magic early, but got the ball caught underfoot a couple of times. Poor service and could not conjure anything. Poor.
Promes on / ANP Sport / Getty Images
Quincy Promes (LW) – 5/10
Wout Weghorst (ST) – 6/10
Steven Berghuis (CM) – 6/10
Jurrien Timber (CB) – 6/10
Defensive hugs around / Attila Kisebenedek – Pool / Getty Images
Tomas Vaclik (GK) – 7/10 – Came rushing out of his goal and missed the ball, but his defense saved his blushes. Did great for stopping Malen from opening the scoring. Resoluta on cross.
Vladimir Coufal (RB) – 8/10 – Limited in his efforts going forward in the beginning, but caused problems with his evil cross. Grew into the game with his team and created havoc.
Ondrej Celustka (CB) – 8/10 – Defended solid in the first half, but was sometimes caught by smart balls over the top. An important cog in a well-drilled defense.
Tomas Kalas (CB) – 9/10 – Competed back to save his goalkeeper from disaster and threw himself in front of Dumfries’ cut. Produced another good block to send Malen’s strike to the corner. Radiant head back over the goal of the opener. Pavel Kaderabek (LB) – 8/10 – Cleared a Van Aanholt crossing well under pressure from Dumfries. Must get it right. Saw to place a shot in the far corner, but Dumfries deprived him of his moment.
A Big Goal / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Tomas Soucek (CM) – 8/10 – Thrown into a diving head but could not get his attempt at goal. Waiting for some excuse to use his flight threat to good effect. Followed De Jong across the pitch – a pest.
Tomas Holes (CM) – 9/10 – Put on the lids, snap into tackles and keep an eye on the Depay drop between the lines. Defeated the deadlock with a powerful head. Clinical. Set the other with great energy.
Antonin Barak (AM) – 7/10 – Flamed a brilliant chance over the crossbar from close range, even though it took a deflection. Should not have given De Ligt a chance.
Target Machine / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Lukas Masopust (RW) – 7/10 – Chained nicely with Coufal on the right flank, stepped inwards to let the defender’s space pass by. Tireless.
Patrik Schick (ST) – 9/10 – Forced De Ligts red card with his pressure. Ruthless when the chance came and stroked home. So important for this team.
Petr Sevcik (LW) – 7/10 – Moved around, popped up to gain possession and lend a hand to his defensive teammates. A selfless screen for the team.
Ready to make a difference / DARKO BANDIC / Getty Images
Jakub Jankto (CM) – 7/10
Adam Hlozek (ST) – 6/10
Alex Kral (CM) – 6/10
Michael Krmencik (ST) – N / A
Michal Sadilek (CM) – Not applicable
