EURO 2020 Qualifiers: Netherlands struck THREE in last 15 minutes to top Group C

Memphis Depay scored the equaliser after Magennis surprisingly scored for the visitors . De Jong converted Netherlands second before Depay added the third.

EURO 2020 Qualifiers: Netherlands struck THREE in last 15 minutes to top Group C
Luke De Jong celebrate the second goal for the Netherlands

The Oranjes came from a goal down in the last 15 minutes to score three against Northern Ireland in the Day 5 of the European Qualifiers.

The win has propped them on top of Group C, levelled on points with Germany.

The first half produced not much of a scintillating display from the Oranjes who are known to threatening opponents in games of such calibre. The opening 10-minutes saw Northern Ireland contain the Dutch in their own half not taking any risks and were quite happy to let the hosts have possession.

 

 

They restricted the attacking threat of the likes of Babel and Depay with relative ease.

Van Dijk’s supremacy in the game was loved and cheered by the local fans. The Dutch tried to press Northern Ireland into their own half for space but Michael O’Neill’s side were organized and marshalled by the experienced duo of Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart. They were yet to spring into action, and looked pedestrian in their passing and movement.

Netherlands suddenly sprung into life in the 26-minute. Babel took down a cross and teed up Wijnaldum just inside the box. His shot was blocked, but it bounced to Blind, whose effort was wild and fled wide. 73 per cent possession of the ball was enjoyed by the home side as at the 36-minute, but did not do an awful lot with it. 

 

READ ALSO:

Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Cyprus Rise from a goal down to beat Kazakhstan - Kazakhstan 1 - 2 Cyprus

Jose TURNED Down Lyon's OFFER; Interested in Managing Spurs

 

Sustained pressure rose from the Dutch in the 44-minute as Babel put in two crosses which were well headed away by Jonny Evans.

Wijnaldum then attempted a header from a Blind cross, which Peacock-Farrell easily caught. 

The second half was all Netherlands yet Northern Ireland work rate was incredible. The Dutch players begun to up their tempo. A brilliant opportunity came their way as Depay brilliantly scooped a ball in for Bergwijn, but from a tight angle, he could only volley it straight into Peacock-Farrell.

 

 

Magennis surprisingly scored for the visitors in the 75-minute after a woeful defending from Netherlands. De Ligt then Blind slice at a clearance, Dallas played it in from the right and Magennis rose highest above de Ligt to head home.

Memphis gave an immediate response five minutes later. Malen squared it to Depay, and he did well to calmly poke home under Peacock-Farrell.

Luke De Jong scored the winner in the 90+1. A ball swung in at the back post from Bergwijn found de Jong, he had one swing at it and did not make proper contact, but the ball fell kindly for him again and he stabbed it home.

 

 

Depay later added his second and Netherlands third to close the game.