EURO 2020: Netherlands and Austria make it to the Round of 16 from Group C

Netherlands and Austria have made it into the round of 16 from Group C, after winning their respective games against North Macedonia and Ukraine tonight. The Dutch won the group with a perfect record while Austria finish second, with 6 points from two games. 

The Dutch enjoyed a comfortable victory against North Macedonia. Memphis Depay opened the scoring for Netherlands in the first half, and later assisted Gini Wijnaldum in the 51st minute. The new PSG recruit surpassed Marco Van Basten’s goalscoring record with his second goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-0. He now has 25 goals for the national team. 

Austria, on the other hand, defeated Ukraine 1-0 to seal their spot in the last 16. The only goal of the game came from Christoph Baumgartner in the 21st minute, assisted by his captain, David Alaba. The Hoffenheim midfielder became the youngest goalscorer for Austria in the Euros, and also the youngest in Euro 2020 overall. 

That was enough to see them over the line, and onto the knockout stages of the tournament. However, they have a daunting task ahead of them in the form of Italy, whom they face in the Round of 16. The Azzurri have not conceded in 11 games consecutively, and are slowly emerging as one of the favourites to win the title after not being given much of a chance. 

The Netherlands will have to wait for the three groups D,E and F to wrap up to get to know their opponents in the knockout stages.