The Netherlands finished their preparations for Euro 2024 with a 4-0 win over Iceland.
With their Euro 2024 campaign kicking off against Poland on Sunday, it’s safe to say the Dutch are in good form.
MAN OF THE MATCH – JOEY VEERMANN (NETHERLANDS)
With Frenkie de Jong ruled out of Euro 2024, Veerman staked his claim to step up in Barcelona’s absence with an all-action display in the middle of the park.
The PSV Eindhoven midfielder helped get the Dutch rolling with a huge diagonal ball for Dumfries to assist across the pitch for Simmons to break the deadlock.
Veerman led the way with high scores in the final third in tackles (15), chances created (six), touches (87), crosses (10) and tackles.
He also won possession the most times (five, level with Dumfries), while only De Vrij (72) made more passes (60).
PLAYER RATINGS
Netherlands: Verbruggen 7, Dumfries 8, De Vrij 7, Van Dijk 8, Ake 7, Reijnders 7, Schouten 7, Veerman 9*, Simmons 8, Depai 8, Gakpo 7. Subs: Van de Ven 6, Wijnaldum 6, Gertrude 6 , Malen 8, Frimpong 7, Veghorst 8.
Iceland: Valdimarsson 7, Bjarkasson 6, Fridriksson 6, Ingasson 6, Finsson 6, Traustasson 5, Haraldsson 6, Gudmundsson 6, Anderson 6, Gudjohnsen 5, Torsteinsson 6. Subs: Thordarsson 6, H. Johannesson 6, H. Johannesson , Bjarnasson ON THE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT MATCHES
23′ – GOAL!!! NETHERLANDS 1-0 ICELAND (SIMONS): That’s a lovely goal to put the hosts in front! On the edge of the penalty area, Wirmann lifts a diagonal ball towards the far post, where Dumfries heads it back into the six-yard box for an unmarked Simmons to volley home.
26′ – CHANCE: The Dutch go in at the back again with another angled ball, and Ake picks out Gakpo, who helps him across the penalty area. Depay arrives, but under pressure from Ingason, he cannot direct the ball inside the far post.
49′ – GOAL!!! NETHERLANDS 2:0 ICELAND (VAN DYK): The Dutch double their lead through the captain! After a corner looked towards the far post, Ake crossed the ball into the penalty area for an unmarked Van Dijk to head home.
70′ – Off the post: What an effort it was from Thordarson, who tries his luck from a good 30 to 35 yards. An ambitious substitute effort falls dangerously towards Verbrigen’s bottom right corner but crashes against the upright.
79′ – GOAL!!! NETHERLANDS 3-0 ICELAND (MALLEN): Only as a substitute, Malen puts the result beyond any doubt! The Borussia Dortmund striker makes a fine run to latch on to Depay’s lofted ball, before showing brilliant composure to slot past Valdimarsson.
90+3′ – GOAL!!! NETHERLANDS 4-0 ICELAND (VEGHORST): Veghorst puts the icing on the cake! Mullen made a brilliant run to spring the offside trap and get in behind the defence. He then unselfishly plays for Veghorst, who delicately beats the advancing Valdimarsson. The shot was initially ruled out for offside, but the referee rightly changed his mind to award it.