Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Netherlandsvs.Austria

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 June 2024, 08:55
Requiring just one point to ensure a place in the knockout phase of Euro 2024, the Netherlands meet Austria for their final Group D fixture on Tuesday.

The teams convene in Berlin, with the Oranje having four points on the board following their stalemate with France; Ralf Rangnick's men swept past Poland last time out but must now avoid defeat to have a good chance of reaching the last 16.

Match preview

Aiming to reach the knockout rounds for an eighth time in their last nine European Championship appearances, the Netherlands took one step closer to their primary goal by holding tournament favorites France to a 0-0 draw on Friday night.

Though neither side could break the deadlock in Leipzig, Xavi Simons appeared to have put his team ahead in the 69th minute, with the skilful forward firing into the bottom corner after France goalkeeper Mike Maignan had denied Memphis Depay.

However, following a lengthy VAR check, the strike was ultimately ruled out for offside, with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries judged to have been interfering with Maignan's dive - that left boss Ronald Koeman fuming, but his side still managed to put themselves within a whisker of the last 16.

Having previously beaten Poland 2-1 in their opener, the Oranje will secure a place in Group D's top two should they avoid losing to Austria; guaranteeing first place if they win and France fail to deliver against Poland.

Meanwhile, if Koeman's men draw and France win they will still finish second - even in defeat, four points would likely prove enough to progress as a third-placed finisher.

Since the 2014 World Cup, the Netherlands are unbeaten in group matches at major tournaments, winning nine of 11 and scoring in each game except Friday's goalless encounter with Les Bleus.

During that streak, Austria were beaten 2-0 at Euro 2020, when Depay and Dumfries were both on target at the Johan Cruijff Arena. A repeat would now take a highly-rated Dutch squad through to the next phase with room to spare.

Including defeat in Amsterdam three summers ago, Austria have lost their last seven matches against the Netherlands - their longest ongoing sequence against a single opponent.

In fact, their last victory over the Oranje dates back to May 1990, but ending that barren run may be necessary on Tuesday evening, in order to ensure qualification for the last 16.

Austria will actually win Group D if they take maximum points and France do not, but should they draw and Les Bleus lose, the Austrians will instead finish third on head-to-head record.

One point would surely prove sufficient to progress as a best third-place team in any case, helping Das Team reach the European Championship knockout rounds for the second consecutive edition. Having failed to get past the group stage in their first two appearances - as hosts in 2008, and then again eight years later - that would represent an impressive achievement.

After suffering defeat to France in their first match at Euro 2024, two players recalled to the starting lineup were on the scoresheet as Ralf Rangnick's side recorded an important 3-1 victory over Poland on Friday afternoon.

Gernot Trauner opened the scoring, and Christoph Baumgartner netted Austria's second after a clever dummy from Marko Arnautovic, who went on to confirm all three points from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining.

Following their 3-1 victory in Berlin, the Austrians could now win back-to-back games at a major finals for the first time since 1982 when they step out at the iconic Olympiastadion once again.

Netherlands European Championship form:

W

D

Netherlands form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

D

Austria European Championship form:

L

W

Austria form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

L

W

Team News

Ronald Koeman should have a full squad at his disposal for the Netherlands' final group fixture, as Ajax striker Brian Brobbey was back on the bench for the France game after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Introducing Jeremie Frimpong for PSV midfielder Joey Veerman was Koeman's only change on Friday, but with one foot already in the last 16, further switches will surely be considered.

Both Veerman and his clubmate Jerdy Schouten are one booking away from suspension, which may be a minor factor in team selection, potentially opening the door for Ryan Gravenberch or Georginio Wijnaldum.

Up front, Wout Weghorst will hope to supplant Memphis Depay, who is just five goals shy of equalling Robin van Persie's record total for the Oranje.

Meanwhile, Austria boss Ralf Rangnick tinkered with his starting XI ahead of the victory over Poland, so more changes cannot be ruled out on Tuesday.

Against France, Max Wober and Kevin Danso were paired in central defence, but Gernot Trauner and Philipp Lienhart stepped into the side last time out. After scoring the opener, Trauner was later forced off by a muscular problem, so his fitness is now in some doubt.

Christoph Baumgartner claimed the 'Man of the Match' award so is likely to be retained, while all-time top scorer Marko Arnautovic again battles it out with Michael Gregoritsch to spearhead the Austrian attack.

Netherlands possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Reijnders, Schouten; Frimpong, Simons, Gakpo; Depay

Austria possible starting lineup:

Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Wimmer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Gregoritsch

We say: Netherlands 1-1 Austria

Austria's need for victory is greater, so they may need to force the issue with their familiar high-intensity style.

Previews by email

Top News

19 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has conceded that Wilson Odobert appears to have sustained a "fairly significant" injury in their EFL Cup victory over Coventry City. 19 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 19 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reims welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Stade Auguste Delaune on Saturday, seeking a shock result in round five's Ligue 1 tussle. 19 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After surviving a monumental scare in the EFL Cup, Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League duty at home to London rivals Brentford on Saturday afternoon. 19 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk VfL Bochum and Holstein Kiel are winless after three Bundesliga matches heading into Saturday's gameweek four encounter at Vonovia Ruhrstadion. 19 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Red Star vs. Benfica (Thursday, 5.45pm) Portuguese giants Benfica begin their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a trip to Serbia where they will face Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he is unsure whether Kevin De Bruyne will be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly opened contract talks with defender Gabriel Magalhaes. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil was again taking the positives despite his side suffering another defeat, this time to Brighton & Hove Albion. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Viktor Tsygankov and Miguel Gutierrez in Girona's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In what could be an early-season relegation six-pointer in the Bundesliga, Augsburg are set to host Mainz 05 at WWK Arena on Friday. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Stoke City will begin life under the new management of Narcis Pelach on Friday, when they play host to Hull City in a Championship contest. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women will begin the defence of their Women's Super League title when they play host to Aston Villa Women on Friday. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur scored twice late to come from behind and beat Coventry City 2-1 in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday evening, sparing trophy-focused Ange Postecoglou from an embarrassing exit. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nacional and Braga get the action underway in round six of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they go head to head at the Estadio da Madeira on Friday. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City failed to break down a stern Inter Milan on Wednesday evening, as the two sides played out a goalless draw in their opening match of the 2024-25 Champions League. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have been handed yet another injury blow, as Wilson Odobert was forced off with a suspected hamstring issue against Coventry City in the EFL Cup. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women have suffered a setback in their pursuit of a Women's Champions League group-stage place, having suffered a 1-0 loss to BK Hacken in Wednesday's qualifier. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona get their Champions League campaign underway this week when they make the short trip to Monaco on Thursday night. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal commence their latest Champions League campaign on Thursday evening, when they visit Europa League winners Atalanta BC in Bergamo. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Al Ettifaq will put their perfect record in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season on the line on Friday night when they welcome Al-Nassr to the Al Ettifaq Club Stadium for a gameweek four showdown. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard will be out for a "while" with the "significant" ankle injury he suffered on international duty. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount have both returned to Manchester United training ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AZ Alkmaar will look to continue their excellent start to the 2024-25 Eredivisie season when they travel to MAC³PARK Stadion to face PEC Zwolle on Friday night. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has firmly played down suggestions of a rift between the attacking players at Bernabeu, with Los Blancos yet to hit top gear early in the season. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma have announced the appointment of Ivan Juric as their new manager following the unexpected dismissal of Daniele De Rossi. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering restricting Kobbie Mainoo's minutes in the coming weeks to protect the midfielder's long-term fitness. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to sign Bayern Munich attacker Jamal Musiala, with the English champions believed to have identified the German as their leading target for next summer. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Christian Eriksen has insisted that Manchester United did not tell him that he was free to leave over the summer despite the speculation surrounding his future. 18 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ansu Fati has been named in the Barcelona squad for Thursday's Champions League game against Monaco, with the attacker in line to make his first appearance for the club since August 2023.