Netherlands 0-2 Czech Republic: Player ratings as 10-man Oranje crash out of Euro 2020
By Max Cooper
Czech Republic stunned ten-man Netherlands to book their place in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, earning a 2-0 victory over the heavy favourites on Sunday.
The Oranje started the game at a frenetic pace, with Denzel Dumfries coming close, only for Tomas Kalas to block his goal-bound strike. Czech Republic settled into the game after a nervy opening 20 minutes, and Antonin Barak was handed a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock, but Matthijs de Ligt flung himself in front of the shot to deflect it over the bar.
The second half burst into life after five minutes, when Donyell Malen raced through the Czech defence and tried to round the goalkeeper, but Tomas Vaclik stood firm. Seconds later, the game flipped on its head.
De Ligt dallied in possession, slipped and handled the ball to deny Patrik Schick a clear goalscoring opportunity. The referee initially awarded a yellow card, but after consulting the touchline monitor, reversed his decision and sent off the Juventus star.
That proved costly, as 13 minutes later, the Czechs went ahead. A deep cross travelled all the way to the back post, Tomas Kalas headed the ball back across goal, and Tomas Holes was on hand to power a header inside the near post.
The underdogs buried Netherlands on 80 minutes, after Holes won possession in the Dutch half, cut the ball back, and Schick nipped in to tuck the ball past a shellshocked Maarten Stekelenburg.
Czech Republic saw out the game to claim a famous victory, booking their place in the quarter-finals, and sending Netherlands home in the most surprising fashion.
Let's check out the player ratings from this epic Euro 2020 encounter.
NETHERLANDS PLAYER RATINGS
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Maarten Stekelenburg (GK) - 5/10 - Spilled a simple cross which led to a sustained spell of pressure, and Czech Republic got their reward. Allowed the second inside his near post.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) - 6/10 - Defended well until he was left exposed by De Ligt's dismissal. Allowed the cross to come in for the killer goal.
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 costly and oh, so cruel.
Daley Blind (CB) - 5/10 - Couldn't stop the tide turning after the red card. Didn't cover across quick enough to stop the second goal.
2. Wing-backs & midfielders
Denzel Dumfries (RWB) - 6/10 - Popped up everywhere, throwing himself at crosses and racing onto through balls. Great block to deny a definite goal in the second half. Fell apart when Netherlands fell behind.
Frenkie de Jong (CM) - 6/10 - Kept everything moving in style in the first half. Grew frustrated when some decisions didn't go his way. Furious by the end of the match.
Georginio Wijnaldum (AM) - 5/10 - Burst into the box to get on the end of crosses. Tracked by the Czech midfield. Pretty anonymous, in truth. Lazy in the midfield for the final blow.
Marten de Roon (CM) - 6/10 - Did the less attractive parts of the game, challenging Soucek in the air and jumping into tackles. Not at his best.
Patrick van Aanholt (LWB) - 5/10 - Whipped in a few potent crosses from that left, and needed no invitation to fly forward. Not quite at the technical level of his teammates, and struggled defensively.
3. Forwards
Donyell Malen (ST) - 5/10 - Wasted the best chance of the game when through on goal, trying 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 provide the magic early on, but got the ball caught under his feet a couple of times. Lacked service and couldn't conjure anything. Poor.
4. Substitutes
Quincy Promes (LW) - 5/10
Wout Weghorst (ST) - 6/10
Steven Berghuis (CM) - 6/10
Jurrien Timber (CB) - 6/10
CZECH REPUBLIC PLAYER RATINGS
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Tomas Vaclik (GK) - 7/10 - Came rushing out of his goal and missed the ball, but his defence spared his blushes. Did superbly to stop Malen opening the scoring. Resolute on crosses.
Vladimir Coufal (RB) - 8/10 - Restricted in his ventures forward at the beginning, but did cause problems with his vicious crosses. Grew into the game with his team and wreaked havoc.
Ondrej Celustka (CB) - 8/10 - Defended solidly in the first half, although was occasionally caught out by clever balls over the top. A crucial cog in a well-drilled defence.
Tomas Kalas (CB) - 9/10 - Raced back to save his goalkeeper from disaster, throwing himself in front of Dumfries' cut-back. Produced another great block to send Malen's strike for a corner. Brilliant header back across goal for the opener.
Pavel Kaderabek (LB) - 8/10 - Cleared a Van Aanholt cross well when under pressure from Dumfries. Had to get that right. Looked to place a shot into the far corner, but Dumfries robbed him of his moment.
6. Midfielders
Tomas Soucek (CM) - 8/10 - Threw himself into a diving header but couldn't get his effort on target. Awaited any excuse to put his aerial threat to good use. Followed De Jong all over the pitch - a pest.
Tomas Holes (CM) - 9/10 - Put the covers on, snapping into tackles and keeping a close eye on Depay dropping between the lines. Broke the deadlock with a powerful header. Clinical. Set up the second with great energy.
Antonin Barak (AM) - 7/10 - Blazed a brilliant chance over the bar from close range, although it did take a deflection. Shouldn't have given De Ligt a chance.
7. Forwards
Lukas Masopust (RW) - 7/10 - Linked up nicely with Coufal on that right flank, stepping infield to allow the defender space to cross out wide. Tireless.
Patrik Schick (ST) - 9/10 - Forced De Ligt's red card with his pressing. Ruthless when the chance came along, stroking home. So important to this team.
Petr Sevcik (LW) - 7/10 - Floated around, popping up to win possession and lend a hand to his defensive teammates. A selfless display for the team.
8. Substitutes
Jakub Jankto (CM) - 7/10
Adam Hlozek (ST) - 6/10
Alex Kral (CM) - 6/10
Michael Krmencik (ST) - N/A
Michal Sadilek (CM) - N/A