This game was the first for both sides in the Euro 2020 campaign in Group C, so it was important to start the tournament right. Heading into the clash, Netherlands were the favorites to win this game and the group. This game was played in Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam. If Ukraine could win this game or even draw, it would massively improve their chances of going forward in the tournament.
The Netherlands squad was talented with the likes of Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum. This talent was exemplified in the first half. They played an almost flawless first half creating a multitude of chances. Within 90 seconds, Memphis Depay carried the ball the length of the field, tearing through the Ukraine team, only to have his shot saved by Heorhiy Bushchan. The Ukraine defense had to withhold waves of attacks from the Dutch side, with limited chances offensively. However, when the half-time whistle blew, the scores were level at 0-0. Ukraine should have been thankful for the game to be at a stalemate at halftime.
I think the Netherlands felt unfortunate not to score but had the momentum going in their favor. With this momentum, Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. After a deflected cross by Denzel Dumfries, the captain Wijnaldum shot the ball over the keeper. The score became 1-0 in favor of the Dutch. The onslaught continued with Wout Weghorst's shot on target, saved again by the keeper. Unfortunately, for Ukraine, they could not stop the second goal. Dumfries dribbled through the box, and the Ukrainian defense was unable to clear the ball. Wout Weghorst rifled a shot into the corner, deflecting off the keeper before making it 2-0. After a VAR check, Virtual Assistant Referee, the goal was affirmed. After the second goal, the game was relatively quiet except for a few substitutions. The Netherlands looked in control of the game and as if they would close it out.
However, one thing I have learned about sports is that nothing is guaranteed. Out of absolutely nothing, Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko attacked the 18-yard box with pace and played a one-two with Roman Yaremchuk. Yarmolenko quickly curled a shot into the top left corner; unsavable. In the 75th minute, the score was 2-1, and Ukraine had life. A mere 4 minutes later, Ukraine brought the game level. In the blink of an eye, the game was completely different. After a free-kick was whipped into the box, Yaremchuk capitalized, by heading the ball into the goal. Ukraine looked like they could win this game after being dominated prior. It seemed like it was two completely new teams on the field. As I said before, nothing is guaranteed. Ukraine tried to pull ahead but was not able to, and in the 85th minute, the game-winner was scored. Once again, the game was flipped on its head by the Netherlands. After a costly defensive giveaway by Ukraine, Nathan Ake whipped a ball in the box to Denzel Dumfries to score the game-winner. The game ended 3-2 in favor of the Netherlands.
After watching this game, there is a lot to digest. In my opinion, in the first half and the beginning of the second, the Netherlands looked like a great team. They got the lead and were dominant. Nonetheless, the game is always the full 90 minutes, and when they began to snooze, Ukraine took over. They were fortunate to score a late winner, but they need to be better if they want to make a run in this tournament. I believe they will win this group because they will sort themselves out from this game and improve. The knockout rounds are a big question mark, but it will be intriguing to see their future. For Ukraine, there were also positives and negatives to take away. In the first half, they were able to stop a majority of the threats of the Netherlands. However, they could not contain them for long and fell into a 2-0 hole. Their heart and pure grit kept them in the game to claw back. They were unfortunate to give a cheap winner, but if they play the way they did towards the end of the game, they can get through to the knockout rounds.
In summary, this was a great game to watch as a neutral, and both teams can learn from the pros or cons. This was another testament to why soccer, or football, is known as the beautiful game.
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