In the first of the giant slayer match of the tournament, unfancied Czech Republic blew away one of the title contender Netherlands, in an emphatic 2-0 win at the Ferenc Puskas stadium, Budapest. A high octane game, fizzled out for the Oranje, as they failed to make good of their chances, & allowed the Czechs to absorb the pressures & wait for the kill, as defender de Ligt got red carded in the 55 mins to give the men in white territorial as well as number advantage & wrap up a shock, but a deserving win.
The first half started as expected with the men in orange, sweeping across the Czech half looking for an early goal, but the defense held well & composed with Vaclik under the bar looking in control. Despite a lively surge by the Dutch forwards & midfield, it was actually Czech midfielder Barak, who had the best opportunity to score from a counter attack, but de Ligt managed to deflect the shot over the post. The match looked promising & enterprising ahead.
However, early in the second half, the Dutch had a great opportunity, as forward Donyell Malen raced past two defenders into the Czech box, but with only keeper Vaclik to beat, he tried to cheekily go past & was denied by the goalkeeper - huge chance gone waste. In an immediate counter attack, Patrik Schick ran into the Dutch box & de Ligt, in an failed attempt, deliberately hand balled to deny a scoring opportunity. Initially shown a yellow card & given a free kick, VAR intervened & the decision was changed to a red card & the defender shown out, as Netherlands were down to 10 men on the field. The Czech, now having the extra man advantage, piled pressure on the Dutch defense & almost got a Penalty from a corner kick, only to be denied by VAR - however, the shift in the game was already becoming obvious, as Kalas headed from a corner into a melee & Tomas Holes headed home into the far post. Czech 1-0 up, & Nethelands looking deflated. With 10 minutes to go, Holes snatched the ball from Wijlandum deep inside the Dutch half, raced into the penalty area & squared the ball to Schick, who gleefully fired into the left corner of the net, for his fourth goal of the tournament, with scoreline reading 2-0.
The Dutch had only themselves to blame, failing get get past the gritty Czech, who played within their limitations & strength, to strengthen the defense & go on counter attacks. The red card on de Ligt was a telling blow, but the Dutch forwards Depay, Malen & Wijlandum & others should've made good of their chances - it was quite surprising to see a tired, insipid display, that extra effort missing. They continue to enthrall the crowds with their brilliant pressing football, but remain the perennial underachievers in the big stage. My predictions of a Dutch victory went abegging, proving that, even the best line up can falter, if they take things for granted.
The Czech, now meet Denmark in the quarters, which promises to be a fascinating contest of speed vs perseverance.
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