Euro 2020 Holland confirm for Group C

Euro 2020 Holland confirm for Group C.

Georginio Wijnaldum scored a double in the second half as the Netherlands defeated North Macedonia 3-0 to maintain their perfect record on their way to the knockout stages of the European Championship on Monday.

The Netherlands had already secured first place in Group C after beating Ukraine and Austria and will play their round of 16 matches in Budapest on Sunday against one of the best third-placed teams from Groups D, E, or F.

North Macedonia, which is out of contention in the round of 16 after back-to-back losses, got off to a much-improved start as Ivan Trickovski’s early attack was ruled offside before Aleksandar Trajkovski hit the post from 20 yards.

But Igor Angelovski’s team was soon caught by an impressive Dutch counterattack as PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen charged up to set up Memphis Depay, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

Wijnaldum doubled the Dutch lead with a touch from close range and added a third just before the appointed time to put the result beyond doubt in front of a partisan crowd at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

North Macedonia’s Goran Pandev received an honor guard from his teammates when he was substituted about 10 minutes later, in what he said would be his last appearance for his country.

Austria advance to the Round of 16 with a victory over Ukraine

Austria advanced to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time after beating Ukraine 1-0 in their last Group C match on Monday to finish second and stage a round of 16 clashes with Italy.

The Netherlands, which were confirmed as group winners after beating Ukraine and Austria, defeated North Macedonia 3-0 in the other match to finish with nine points, while Austria has six of two victories.

Christoph Baumgartner, who looked shocked after a head butt with Illia Zabarnyi minutes earlier, scored in the 21st minute from a corner as he beat the Ukrainian defender to push home after a taunt from David Alaba.

The stunning Austrian midfielder was retired 10 minutes later and his replacement Alessandro Schopf nearly readied a second when he encountered Marko Arnautovic on a counterattack, but the forward’s side attempt went wide.

Ukraine, which was sloppy in possession and rarely threatened in the final third, has three points and must wait to see if they advance as one of the four best third-placed teams.

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