Brussels (AFP)

They have sucked blood and water but have achieved their goals: the Netherlands are qualified for the Euro-2020, their first major competition since 2014, thanks to their draw (0-0) Saturday in Northern Ireland.

The essential is acquired for the 12th nation ranked Fifa. From there to add "with the way", there is a step that the Dutch have certainly not crossed in Belfast.

No doubt stung by the words of Ronald Koeman after the first leg - the coach Batavian had called the game in Northern Ireland "scandalous" - the locals took the initiative from the start of the match.

Without creating real opportunities, the locals exploited the excitement of the Dutch selection.

The "Oranje" could have been punished in the fourth minute, when goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen was slow to clear a ball set back by a teammate.

Too happy with the windfall, Corry Evans snatched the ball from the goalkeeper's feet, unable to send it into the opposing net.

Another big fright thirty minutes later, when the referee gave a penalty to the North-Irish for a ball that hit Joël Veltman's arm in the box.

But the green-and-white captain, Steven Davis, catapulted the leather into the Belfast skies.

Despite these warnings, the danger has mainly come from the Netherlands, with their possession of a much larger ball.

By the 10th minute, they could have taken the lead if a shot from Steven Berghuis at six meters did not hit the crossbar.

In the absence of Memphis Depay package, strikers Quincy Promes, on the left flank, and Ryan Babel in the axis, also gave cold sweats to the North Irish defense.

But under the loud whistles of Windsor Park, they systematically sinned in the conclusion.

The result of Saturday nevertheless allows the Oranje to confirm their second place in Group C, with 16 points.

They can no longer be supplanted by their opponents in the race for the Euro, regardless of their respective results Tuesday on the last day of qualifying.

Northern Ireland (3rd, 13 pts) will move to Germany, leading the group with 18 points thanks to their victory against Belarus (4-0).

The Dutch will receive Estonia in Amsterdam.

Faced with the Baltic, the challenge will be as much to reconnect with the victory as to find a game more shimmering. At the risk of reliving the trauma of the last Euro: in 2012, the Dutch had not passed the stage of the group stage, humiliated by three defeats in as many games.

The 1st place of the group also remains within range. As long as the Northern Irish give a boost to the Oranje, Tuesday in Frankfurt.

© 2019 AFP