Goals from Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum saw the Netherlands beat North Macedonia 3-0 as the Oranje finished with a perfect three wins from three at Euro 2020.
Frank de Boer’s side had already secured the top spot in Group C before the game even kicked off. The Dutch had already beaten Ukraine and Austria in the group at Euro 2020. However, it was business as usual for the Dutch who stormed to victory at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
Memphis Depay, who will be seen playing for Barcelona in the new season, continued his fine form as he opened the scoring in the 24th minute.
Gini Wijnaldum then bagged a brace for the Netherlands. He has been one of their standout players for over a year or so and he showed why.
The former Liverpool midfielder was tipped to join Barca as well. Given the strong Dutch influence with Ronald Koeman as manager, it was surprising he chose to join PSG instead.
Netherlands – this year’s underdogs?
Many were surprised by Wijnaldum’s decision as joining Barcelona. It would have meant reuniting with Dutch teammate Frenkie de Jong in midfield. Now, Memphis as well.
A Daley Blind tackle led to a lightning-quick counter-attack. The attack was finished by a first-time Memphis Depay strike from a Donyell Malen cross.
Depay now has nine goals and three assists in his last 10 games for the Netherlands.
Wijnaldum bagged two goals in seven minutes, as he comfortably tapped in from a well-placed Depay cross before Macedonian goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski’s parry fell kindly to the captain who made no mistake in finishing.
The Dutch will now travel to Budapest for their last-16 tie, where they will face the third-place finisher from either Group D, E or F on 27 June of Euro 2020.
