Czech Shock Netherlands With 2-0 Round Of 16 Victory

June 28, (THEWILL) – There was no forewarning that an upset was in the offing on the second day of the knockout stages of the Euro 2020 but Patrik Schick scored his fourth goal of the tournament to lift the Czech Republic over a ten-man Netherlands to reach the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win.

There was a promising opening to the Round of 16 fixture in Budapest. The early exchanges, which created opportunities for both sides, showed it to be an open game but, it was not long before the Dutch began to exert pressure as Frank de Boer’s charges stepped up.

The Czech found it a struggle to accommodate the tactical approach of the Dutch attacks and it was all they could do to keep from conceding, dealing with the pace of the Netherlands.

But for poor finishing by the Dutch duo of Matthijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay, the Czech could have been behind by at least two goals in the first period alone. However, the Czech confidence grew as the match progressed and they began to make threats of their own.

Indications of the danger the flash Czech attacks poised were faintly obvious when, against the run of play, Tomáš Souček glanced wide from Petr Ševčík’s fine cross and Antonín Barák blasted over from close range. The misses only emboldened Jaroslav Šilhavý’s side further.

It was not long into the second half before the Netherlands were threatening again and Tomáš Vaclík had to be on his game to nullify the intentions of a surging Donyell Malen run towards goal.

The Czech were soon handed a numerical advantage when referee Sergei Karasev handed the hitherto impressive de Ligt a straight red for handling the ball as the last man in a bid to prevent a Czech break in the 55th minute.

Being reduced to 10-men appeared to rattle the Netherlands as they wobbled in the face of a rejuvenated Czech frontline. The Czech capitalised on their advantage eight minutes after the hour mark. Tomáš Holeš’ directed a powerful header to open the scoring and put his side in a commanding position.

It was only a matter of ten minutes before the deficit was doubled. This time Holeš turned provider as he brilliantly cued up Schick to seal the Czech Republic’s place in the quarter-finals and upset pundits and bookies who almost unanimously gave the match to the Dutch.

But, as the Netherlands exit, it does not get any easier for the Czech, who must now prepare to contend against the in-form Denmark. However, they have shown to perform as underdogs with their backs against the wall. They will hope to replicate that in the quarter-finals.