Amsterdam (AFP)

The Netherlands, very convincing in their first two matches, qualified Thursday for the knockout stages of the Euro by beating Austria 2-0 on their favorite lawn of the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.

This victory, which also guarantees the Dutch first place in Group C, was initiated by Memphis Depay (1-0, 11th on penalty) and sealed by Denzel Dumfries (2-0, 67th).

After missing the last two major international events, Euro-2016 in France and World-2018 in Russia, the "Oranje" have therefore succeeded in the first stage of their comeback among the elite.

Thanks to the conviction of their coach Frank de Boer, who imposed an effective tactical scheme against all criticism.

The great old Dutch footballers have nevertheless railed against this system with five defenders, ungodly in the land of the sacrosanct 4-3-3 popularized by the golden generation of the 1970s.

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"To play in 5-3-2? Johan Cruyff must be turned over in his grave", even blurted out Ronald de Boer ... twin brother of Frank, while the former international Kees Kist spoke bluntly of "rape of Dutch football" .

As against Ukraine four days earlier, the Dutch started against Austria with their feet to the ground: sharper, faster, they quickly rewarded themselves.

Impeccable Austrian defense chief David Alaba stepped on Dumfries' foot a few inches inside the box.

Warned by his video assistant, the referee went to check the images and did not hesitate: penalty.

Transformed by Memphis Depay (1-0, 11th) the Lyonnais, who has almost confirmed his departure for FC Barcelona after the Euro on Wednesday at a press conference.

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- Awesome Dumfries -

With a goal ahead, captain Wijnaldum and his teammates may have unwittingly backed off.

Austria in any case returned to the match, which turned into a midfield battle, the two goalkeepers having hardly anything to do in the first half.

Just before the break, the Dutch nevertheless missed two opportunities to double the bet, by Depay who placed above the wide open goal a caviar from Wout Weghorst (40th), then by Wijnaldum, whose powerful shot was countered by a defender (41st).

Deliverance came in the 67th minute, when Depay threw deep from his own side Donyell Malen, who came into play a few minutes earlier.

Malen fixed the defense and served Dumfries on his right into the box.

The side, impressive since the start of the Euro, scored his second goal of the tournament.

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The proof if it were necessary that the 5-3-2 of De Boer, for iconoclast that it is, is indeed the best way to use the qualities of this group, which can legitimately nourish some ambitions in this Euro .

For Austria, the last match against Ukraine will have the flavor of the round of 16: the winner will finish second in the group with six points and will undoubtedly play the round of 16.

The loser can only hope for a repechage, among the four best thirds of the group who will continue their way in this Euro.

© 2021 AFP