In a rather surprising turn of events, Czech Republic ended the Netherlands’ hopes of making it into the quarter finals by beating them 2-0.
The first half displayed both teams going at it in heated fashion, offensively. However, neither was able to find a breakthrough. The two teams headed into the tunnels, level at half time despite a number of chances created for both of them.
But the game changed in the 55th minute when Matthijs De Ligt was sent off for handling the ball. He deliberately threw his arm out to stop Patrik Schick from taking a goalscoring opportunity at the edge of the box. While the on-field referee showed him a yellow in the beginning, VAR intervened and asked him to have a look for himself.
The decision was then overturned since De Ligt was the last man, and deliberately denied Schick an opportunity at goal. The match was not the same, as Czech Republic were merciless in attacking their depleted opposition.
Tomas Holes eventually opened the scoring for them, and later turned provider as Shick got his goal in the game to double their lead. The Dutch were unable to grow into the game after the sending off and the two goals, and barely threatened their opponents who had the extra man.
While the Dutch suffer heartbreak, Czech Republic will go up against Denmark in the quarter finals in an evenly contested, fascinating fixture for a place in the semi finals.
