The match between Netherlands and Greece in the EURO 2024 qualifiers took place in a one-sided match when the orange shirt team proved to be too strong compared to the guests. Right in the first half, the trio of De Roon, Gakpo, and Weghorst competed to score goals, helping the Netherlands finish off their opponents early to get all 3 points.
Goals
Netherlands: De Roon (17′), Gakpo (31′), Weghorst (39′)
Welcoming Greece, the Netherlands did not have the strongest squad because a series of players such as Depay or Timber had to retire due to injury. However, Oranje, with its superior class and the support of the home crowd, still easily dominated the game.
After 17 minutes of rolling, they broke the deadlock thanks to midfielder De Roon. Starting from a corner kick on the left wing, the ball was brought back from the right wing to the middle, and De Roon, in an unaccompanied position, defeated goalkeeper Vlachodimos with a decisive kick.
By the 31st minute, the gap was doubled for the home team. Catching a pass from Dumfries’ right-wing, Gakpo controlled the ball neatly before turning around to volley the ball into the Greek net.
Although he did not directly score, right-back Dumfries still contributed greatly to the Netherlands’ jubilant victory. 6 minutes before the end of the first half, the player playing football in Serie A for Inter Milan assisted the tall striker Weghorst for a header to increase the match score to 3-0.
Having quickly created a safe gap in the first half, the Netherlands proactively reduced the pace of the match after halftime. They did not apply as much pressure as before, but Greece, with its surrender mentality, was not able to find an honorable equalizer.
Losing heavily to the Netherlands, Greece lost the 2nd place in Group B to their opponents. They also have 6 points like the Orange Cyclone, but lose in secondary stats and have played 1 more match than the home team (4 compared to 3). Meanwhile, although the Netherlands won resoundingly, they are still 9 points behind the top team, France (who has played 5 matches).
Squad
Netherlands: Flokken, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Ake (De Vrij, 46′), Dumfries (De Ligt, 85′), De Roon (Reijnders, 65′), De Jong (Veerman, 77′), Blind, Simons, Gakpo (Long, 65′), Weghorst.
Greece: Vlachodimos, Rota (Giannoulis, 69′), Retsos, Chatzidiakos, Tsimikas, Siopis, Kourbelis (Koulierakis, 70′), Masouras (Fountas, 70′), Bakasetas (Bouchalakis, 77′), Mantalos, Pavlidis (Giakoumakis , 73′).