PREVIEW: High expectations for Dutch but Czechs are an old nemesis
The Netherlands have turned their sceptical supporters into true believers after three straight wins at Euro
EURO 2020 today updates (June 28): We offer you up-to-the-minute information of Euro 2020's results, table and standings, fixtures and points.
3: Netherlands 0-2 Czech Republic (Budapest)
4: Belgium 1-0 Portugal (Seville)
Goals from Tomaš Holeš and Patrik Schick sent an impressive Czech Republic side into the quarter-finals.
In an eventful opening in Budapest, both teams were able to create opportunities. Frank de Boer’s Oranje soon hit their stride, though, and the Czechs struggled to deal with their pace. However, Matthijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay spurned chances to secure a lead, UEFA reported.
Against the run of play, Tomaš Souček glanced wide Petr Ševčík’s cross and Antonín Barak flashed over from close range, as Jaroslav Šilhavý’s side regained a foothold.
Perhaps the key moment came shortly after half-time. After Donyell Malen's surge from deep was thwarted by keeper Tomaš Vaclík, almost immediately the Netherlands were reduced to ten men as last-man De Ligt's handball denied Schick a clear run on goal.
The Dutch looked rattled and the Czechs capitalised. Holeš's powerful header finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes following Barak's free-kick. And they weren’t finished: 12 minutes later, Holeš advanced to tee up Schick – becoming the second Czech to net four times at a EURO tournament, alongside Milan Baroš (five goals in 2004) – to seal a quarter-final spot.
Reactions
Jaroslav Šilhavý, Czech Republic coach: "I am really proud of my team. We have defeated a tough opponent and, tactically, all of my players were excellent. I am glad we achieved the victory in front of so many of our fans."
Tomaš Holeš, Czech Republic: "I mainly have defensive tasks in the game, and sometimes I use that to my advantage because defenders don't mark me. I am happy that I played well tonight."
Frank de Boer, Netherlands coach: "They were difficult opponents, but I thought that we were better until the red card. We dominated the game. Denzel [Dumfries] reached the byline a couple of times in the first half and so did Patrick [van Aanholt]. But in each case, the final ball could have been better."
Patrik Schick, Czech Republic forward: "It couldn't have gone any better. It's great. Nobody expected us to make it so far. To beat the Netherlands and perform this well is fantastic. I think each of our supporters here today had a great time. It's incredible."
Matthijs de Ligt, Netherlands defender: "Of course, it feels bad. We basically lost because of what I did. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have let the ball bounce. I thought we had the game under control. We had a few chances, particularly in the first half. I didn’t have the feeling that they created lots of chances either. But the red card obviously made the difference."
Georginio Wijnaldum, Netherlands captain: "The goals we gave away, the chances we didn’t take. That's all that's going through my head. After the red card, we found it difficult to put them under pressure. Things just got more difficult for us."
Thorgan Hazard's stunning first-half strike ended the Seleção's reign as European champions.
As reported by UEFA, Portugal had the early sniffs of goal with Diogo Jota dragging wide and Cristiano Ronaldo, seeking to become the outright top scorer in the history of international football, stinging the palms of Thibaut Courtois with a free-kick. The Red Devils failed to trouble Rui Patrício until close to the interval, then Hazard's vicious swerving effort fizzed past the Portugal No1 to break the deadlock.
Roberto Martínez lost the services of Kevin De Bruyne – and their rhythm – shortly after half-time but their defensive resolve remained, Diogo Jota off target with a rare opening for Fernando Santos's frustrated outfit. The Seleção came on strong as their grip on the trophy weakened, Ruben Dias's header testing Courtois and Raphaël Guerreiro firing against the post, but this was the Belgians' day.
Reactions:
Thorgan Hazard, Belgium midfielder: "In these kinds of games you have to grab your chances with both hands. And voila! The goalkeeper expected me to choose the other corner, so the ball went in. I am happy I could score for my country!"
Thomas Vermaelen, Belgium defender: "In the first half we were playing high and putting pressure on Portugal but, looking at that second half, we are lucky to win. Portugal made it really hard for us. We had to really stay focused."
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium goalkeeper: "I didn't have a lot of work to do in the previous three games but I knew that wasn't going to be the case against Portugal. I am proud of my team-mates; they defended very well. Italy will be difficult too, but we have proved today that we are ready for it."
João Palhinha, Portugal midfielder: "We created more chances than Belgium. In the first half, we managed to control the game well. I don't remember any other opportunity for Belgium except the goal. It is with great unhappiness that we are going to back Portugal.”
Monday, June 28
Belgium vs Portugal- 12:30 AM at La Cartuja Stadium, Seville, Spain
Croatia vs Spain - 9:30 PM at Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tuesday, June 29
France vs Switzerland - 12:30 AM at National Arena Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
England vs Germany - 9:30 PM at Wembley Stadium, London, England
Wednesday, June 30
Sweden vs Ukraine - 12:30 AM at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Friday 2 July
QF1: France/Switzerland vs Croatia/Spain (18:00, St Petersburg)
QF2: Belgium/Portugal vs Italy/Austria (21:00, Munich)
Saturday 3 July
QF3: Netherlands/Czech Republic vs Wales/Denmark (18:00, Baku)
QF4: Sweden/Ukraine vs England/Germany (21:00, Rome)
Rest days on 4 and 5 July
Tuesday 6 July
SF1: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF1 (21:00, London)
Wednesday 7 July
SF2: Winner QF4 vs Winner QF3 (21:00, London)
Rest days on 8, 9, 10 July
Sunday 11 July
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (21:00, London)
Jasmine Le