Euro 2020: Czech Republic ease past 10-man Netherlands into quarter-finals

THE Czech Republic became the third team to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday.

The Dutch were not at their fluid best in the first half and they got punished with two second-half goals from Tomas Holes and Patrik Schick after Matthijs de Ligt was sent off.

After a first half of missed chances and mostly uncoordinated play, the game came alive from the restart.

Just 10 minutes into the second half, the Dutch were reduced to 10 men.

Juventus centre-back De Ligt was initially issued a yellow card for deliberately handling the ball as Tomas Soucek was bearing down towards goal.

However, after video assistant referee (VAR) review, the yellow was changed to red as De Ligt was denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Czech Republic took full advantage of the reduction in the number of the Dutch and camped in the Netherlands third of the pitch.

They were duly rewarded in the 68th minute when Holes headed home from a corner despite three Dutchmen on the goal line.

The game was effectively over in the 80th minute when Schick finished off a counterattack with aplomb for his fourth goal of Euro 2020.

Czech Republic will meet Denmark in the quarter-finals in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday.