It’s almost a curse to be the team in shape that enters the knockout rounds of an international tournament.
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At the end of the Euro 2020 group stage, the Netherlands was the nation that everyone followed closely. After three matches, the Oranje had collected a maximum of nine points, scored eight goals – most of any team in the competition – and rarely saw knocked out by their opposing trio.
The exciting young core of their team flourished, and with only the Czech Republic (who had finished third in Group D) to beat, it was almost a matter of course that they would reach the quarterfinals and finally go deep in a tournament.
But fate – and a well-organized opposition – had other ideas. The Netherlands started the game at a frantic pace, pressed high up on the pitch, pinned the Czechs back in their own penalty area and used the tempo out to whip up some exciting posts in the box.
At that stage, there were no signs of a disaster on the horizon. But then the game got a little stodgy. It was actually a show that England fans have seen hundreds of times, and they know how it always ends.
The quick start was replaced by a heavy, goalless movement of the ball around the midfield. The forwards were isolated and the chance was high. Worryingly, with all this dominance of possession, there was a lack of control over the game.
The Dutch failed to get the ball during the first half / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
The Czechs grew into the first half and caused a couple of frightening effects for the Dutch back line, while showing that they could create opportunities from large areas. In addition, their height from dead targets made them a constant threat.
Not a team you want to challenge to a fight, then. Fortunately, this Orange page is blessed with bags of talent, and in 51 minutes they should have moved on. Donyell Malen appeared on cue near the post, and steered it past the goalie.
Instead of throwing home, he gave Tomas Vaclik the least opportunity to save by trying to hit the ball around the Sevilla man. The Czech Republic’s number one denied the kid, and at that moment the pendulum swung.
Patrik Schick broke into life and pressed on a panic Matthijs de Ligt, who missed his kick and slipped to the ground. In his desperate attempt to save possession, the Juventus star sneakily tapped the ball with his hand and received a yellow card.
However, this is a VAR world we live in, and the all-seeing eye discovered how serious this crime was. By denying an opportunity to sue with such a shabby act, the judge had no choice but to reverse his decision and give De Ligt his marching orders.
? Matthijs de Ligt is the first Dutch player to be sent off in a major international tournament since John Heitinga against Spain in the 2010 World Cup final pic.twitter.com/cSrO1dyUwU
– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 27, 2021
From the country’s hero to the villain. De Ligt stepped off the field, aware of the magnitude of the crime he had just committed. It was naive. It was clearly poorly thought out and it was costly. Cruel but expensive. And for the Dutch, it spelled disaster.
From that moment on, there was only one winner. While De Ligt will no doubt take the blame for this 2-0 loss and subsequent outcome from Euro 2020, the error could have been transferred to a number of fallen stars.
The mill should not have given the Czech Republic a prayer while on the move. Daley Blind and Stefan de Vrij did not step up in De Ligt’s absence. The usually infallible Frenkie de Jong completely lost his head and was swept away by the occasion.
Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum offered nothing when their experience was most necessary in such a high stakes situation. Back and forth it was a nightmare afternoon for everyone involved. The only salvation for Holland fans – and this is the thinnest of silver linings – is that they would never win the tournament anyway.
Out of His Deep / Attila Kisebenedek – Pool / Getty Images
With coach Frank de Boer at the helm, they lacked a genuine plan (let alone a Plan B), there was no balance on the side and the tactical decisions spoke to a manager who seemed at a level above his ability. It was always the case that once the Netherlands came up against a well-drilled, organized and stubborn opponent, they would crumble.
Admittedly, no one expected it to be against the Czech Republic. Still, it’s knockout football for you. Take everything for granted, and you will be punished. Learn some lessons, the rest of Europe’s giants.
