Denzel Dumfries was stamped by David Alaba on the outskirts of Austria's penalty area, fell and was punished.
It was well managed by Memphis Depay who without any hesitation scored 1-0 for the Netherlands in the 11th minute.
Driver's seat directly.
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Netherlands 1-0
The match then continued with a game-wise Dutch advantage.
Goal scorer Depay also kept ahead in the 40th minute and was given a golden opportunity to score the second goal of the match.
However, he was not as clinical this time.
Finished high, high above and an opportunity that should probably have a better fate.
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The Netherlands miss
Continued advantage
In addition to a first half chance for Austria in the second half, it was more or less the Netherlands who held the baton.
With 30 minutes left to play, they would also have a great chance to make it 2-0.
Stefan de Vrij had a nod that Daniel Bachmann had to stretch out on.
The goalkeeper, however, released a return that Matthijs de Ligt thundered outside.
Another goal would come.
Donyell Malen came in to replace him. 64 minutes into the game, he could take comfort in the fact that his team was in the lead.
In the attack, he brought with him the penalty kicker Dumfries, who got a pass and the same could increase to 2-0.
Högerbacken, who was responsible for a good premiere match, continued on the beaten path on Thursday and was in many ways the man of the match.
However, Austrian creator David Alaba got it tougher.
He had a hard time breaking free from his guard and seldom managed to create anything.
With 81 minutes played, Maarten Stekelenburg nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through in the middle and fired from just outside the box, but his shot passed just over the bar.
The Netherlands took their second victory in the group stage and are thus ready for the round of 16.
They are now going for the group victory when they face Northern Macedonia on Monday.