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Euro 2020 | Netherlands defeat Austria to reach knockout stages

The Netherlands have beaten Austria 2-0 in Group C to book their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2020.

Memphis Depay gave the Dutch an early lead with an 11th-minute penalty before Denzel Dumfries doubled their lead midway through the second half at Amsterdam Arena.

The 2-0 victory also confirms the Netherlands as Group C winners with a game to spare.

Austria will join Frank de Boer's side in the last 16 if they beat Ukraine in their final group match.

The hosts were awarded a penalty after a VAR review when the marauding Dumfries was caught by Austria captain David Alaba just inside the visitors' box.

Referee Orel Grinfeld initially decided to play on, but later awarded the spot kick after being sent to the pitch-side monitor.

Depay made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Daniel Bachmann the wrong way as he converted the penalty into the bottom right corner.

The 27-year-old then flashed a half-volley into the side-netting in the 25th minute after getting in behind the Austrian high line.

Depay then missed a sitter five minutes before half time.

The Barcelona-bound attacker somehow skied his side-footed effort from six yards from Wout Weghorst's unselfish pass across the box after a swift and incisive counter from the Oranje.

Georginio Wijnaldum then saw a low shot blocked a minute later as the home side pushed for a second before half time in Amsterdam.

Austria 'keeper Bachmann kept his country in the game with a stunning save from a point-blank Stefan de Vrij header on the hour mark, with de Vrij's centre half partner Matthijs de Ligt seeing his rebound cleared off the line.

Dumfries did make it 2-0 in the 67th minute with a simple tap in from Donyell Malen's unselfish pass, after Depay's lobbed pass sent Malen in behind Austria's high line.

Alaba sent a swerving rocket narrowly wide of Maarten Stekelenburg's post with 10 minutes remaining, but Austria rarely looked capable of mounting a comeback.

The Netherlands will finish their Group C campaign with a match against North Macedonia, with Austria set to face Ukraine.

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