Netherlands 2-0 Austria: Player ratings as Oranje stroll into last 16

Goals from Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries gave the Netherlands a 2-0 win over Austria on Thursday night, as the Oranje claimed top spot in Group C.

The Netherlands came out brightest in the first half and won a penalty within ten minutes of the first whistle, courtesy of a VAR review. Dumfries was first to latch onto a free ball in the box before David Alaba went in to challenge rashly, clipping the Dutchman in the process. Depay stepped up and stroked the ball clinically into the bottom corner.

Frank de Boer's men doubled there lead on 66 minutes when substitute Donyell Malen raced clear to latch onto Depay's through ball, before squaring for Dumfries to tap home.

The Netherlands hung on for the 2-0 win, confirming their place in the knockout stage of the tournament and securing their title as Group C winners. Austria can still finish second in the group, should they beat Ukraine on matchday three. Now, let's get to the player ratings.

NETHERLANDS PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Maarten Stekelenburg (GK) - 6/10 - Austria managed just one shot on target - it wasn't a busy night.

Stefan de Vrij (CB) - 6/10 - Always willing to step high and press his opposition. Did so to decent effect although was often rash and committed fouls.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - 8/10 - Came back in and introduced a stability to the back three, showing assurance, determination and bravery. Covered well for the two either side of him when they stepped forward and made a couple of crucial blocks and tackles in the box. A warrior's performance.

Daley Blind (CB) - 7/10 - Like De Vrij, Blind was good when he stepped out of defence, reading the game well to nick possession back and give the ball away to a teammate.

2. Wing-backs & midfielders

Denzel Dumfries (RWB) - 9/10 - Wow. Bombed up and down the right all game, pressing with all the energy in the world and provided an attacking threat. Won the penalty early on and got his second in two games after that. Some player.

Marten de Roon (CM) - 7/10 - Never lost his shape and patrolled in front of the back three fairly well, making four ball recoveries although he mistimed quite a few challenges.

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) - 8/10 - Once again played high up the pitch and pressed Austria's defensive players incessantly. Played the ball around really well, dictating proceedings at the business end of the pitch to create openings and opportunities for colleagues.

Frenkie de Jong (CM) - 8/10 - Commanded the whole central third throughout. Broke up play brilliantly with five recoveries, recycled the ball effectively and set forward moves in motion constantly.

Patrick van Aanholt (LWB) - 6/10 - Didn't often surge up the left but when he did there was a real threat. Laid the ball on a plate for Wijnaldum in the first half and was unlucky not to come away with an assist.

3. Forwards

Wout Weghorst (ST) - 6/10 - Was a good focal point and knocked the ball down for others nicely, but didn't offer much else.

Memphis Depay (ST) - 8/10 - Always keen to get on the ball and was a menace throughout, playing a huge part in the second goal as well as opening the scoring. Dispatched his penalty fantastically but really should have had two or three.

4. Substitutes

Donyell Malen (ST) - 7/10 - Great awareness and movement after coming on and proved unselfish to set up Dumfries for 2-0.

Nathan Ake (CB) - 6/10

Owen Wijndal (LWB) - 6/10

Ryan Gravenberch (CM) - 6/10

Luuk de Jong (ST) - N/A

AUSTRIA PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Daniel Bachmann (GK) - 6/10 - Couldn't do anything about either goal and was safe enough other than that - notably making an instinctive save from De Vrij's close range header on the hour mark.

Aleksandar Dragovic (CB) - 6/10 - Defended well, making eight interventions but simply couldn't play out from the back for the life of him.

David Alaba (CB) - 6/10 - Read the game well and offered decent cover for the two either side of him but was restricted at the back. His side desperately needed his creativity further up the field. Also went in very rashly to concede the penalty after ten minutes.

Martin Hinteregger (CB) - 6/10 - Struggled against Dumfries but, given his challenge, fared pretty well, managing three ball recoveries. Was one of the few to really pick out progressive, effective balls into forward teammates.

6. Wing-backs & midfielders

Stefan Lainer (RWB) - 6/10 - Didn't offer much upfield but put in a good defensive shift and contained Netherlands' left well, registering four ball recoveries.

Konrad Laimer (CM) - 5/10 - Made a few good searching balls over the top of the Dutch back line but they rarely came to anything. Was a bit static when his side were looking to play their way around the opposition.

Xaver Schlager (CM) - 7/10 - Very industrious, pressed very aggressively and looked to be really enjoying getting stuck into the dirty work, making four ball recoveries. Just couldn't recycle possession like his opposite numbers, though.

Marcel Sabitzer (CM) - 6/10 - Floated around a bit and tried to affect proceedings from the left flank. Looked creative on the ball but just couldn't manage that killer pass.

Andreas Ulmer (LWB) - 6/10 - Surged forward at times and really gave the Dutch a headache on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately got crowded out when it came to the moments that mattered, however.

7. Forwards

Christoph Baumgartner (ST) - 6/10 - Showed decent movement and seemed the likeliest to create a spark in the Austria side. Forged his way through the box in the first half and rocketed a shot against De Ligt's head, but that's as close as he got.

Michael Gregoritsch (ST) - 4/10 - Got very little service up front so dropped deep to see a bit of the ball. Couldn't do much at all and visibly grew frustrated before being hooked off.

8. Substitutes

Sasa Kalajdzic (ST) - 5/10

Florian Grillitsch (CM) - 5/10

Valentino Lozaro (ST) - 5/10

Philipp Lienhart (CB) - N/A

Karim Onisiwo (CM) - N/A