This time, the Netherlands never looked like throwing away their two-goal lead.
Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries scored a goal in each half as the Dutch comfortably beat Austria 2-0 Thursday to advance to the round of 16 at the European Championship.
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This time, the Netherlands never looked like throwing away their two-goal lead.
The Netherlands is playing at a major international soccer tournament for the first time in seven years and qualified for the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Arnautović was handed a one-match ban by UEFA for insulting a North Macedonian player in the teams’ Euro 2020 opener. The incident soured Austria’s first victory at a major tournament in 31 years and its first ever at the European Championship.
Dumfries is a wing back who can sprint up the right flank and cause problems in the opponent's penalty area.
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Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries, right, celebrates with his teammate Memphis Depay, after scoring against Austria during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between Netherland and Austria, at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Koen van Weel, Pool via AP)
Depay sent a penalty kick low into the corner in the 11th minute for his 27th goal in 66 international matches. Dumfries then scored his second goal of the tournament — following his late winner against Ukraine — in the 67th after an unselfish pass from PSV Eindhoven teammate Donyell Malen.
Memphis Depay of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between the The Netherlands and Austria at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong, Pool)
The Netherlands is playing at a major international soccer tournament for the first time in seven years and qualified for the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Austria, playing without banned forward Marko Arnautović at the Johan Cruyff Arena, rarely threatened to equalize against a well-ordered Dutch defense led by Matthijs De Ligt on his return from a groin injury.
The closest Austria came was a long-range shot by David Alaba in the 82nd minute. The team only managed one shot on target in the entire game.
Memphis Depay of the Netherlands scores his side's first goal on a penalty during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between Netherlands and Austria at Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, June 17, 2021, (Dean MouhtaropoulousPool via AP)
Arnautović was handed a one-match ban by UEFA for insulting a North Macedonian player in the teams’ Euro 2020 opener. The incident soured Austria’s first victory at a major tournament in 31 years and its first ever at the European Championship.
In the group's other match Thursday, Ukraine beat North Macedonia 2-1 in Bucharest. The Dutch win eliminated North Macedonia.
Dumfries' goal — he also was fouled for the penalty — again vindicated Netherlands coach Frank de Boer's decision to ditch the traditional Dutch system of four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards in favor of a three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards.
Austria's goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann concedes a penalty of Netherlands' Memphis Depay during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between Netherland and Austria, at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Koen van Weel, Pool via AP)
Dumfries is a wing back who can sprint up the right flank and cause problems in the opponent's penalty area.
The Dutch also led 2-0 in their opening match on Sunday, but Ukraine scored a pair of goals level the score. Dumfries scored the winner in the 85th minute on that day.
The Netherlands will play its final Group C match against North Macedonia on Monday, also in Amsterdam. Austria will take on Ukraine in Bucharest.
Memphis Depay of the Netherlands gestures during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between Netherlands and Austria at Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, June 17, 2021, (Dean MouhtaropoulousPool via AP)
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Denzel Dumfries, top, of the Netherlands runs as he celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between the The Netherlands and Austria at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong, Pool)
Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries, right, celebrates with his teammate Memphis Depay, after scoring against Austria during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between Netherland and Austria, at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Koen van Weel, Pool via AP)