Why the Czechs' shock win over Netherlands is good news for England

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By Conor Laird

Published: June 27, 2021 7:07 pm

Last Updated: June 27, 2021 7:14 pm

The first major shock of Euro 2020 was forthcoming this evening, as the Czech Republic sent the heavily favoured Netherlands packing.

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Schick on target once again

The 3rd fixture of the Euros’ knockout rounds played out a short time ago.

After Italy followed Denmark in advancing to the competition’s quarter-finals on Saturday night, the Netherlands and Czech Republic faced off in Budapest, eyeing a similar result.

The former, for obvious reasons, were viewed as overwhelming favourites ahead of kick-off, having waltzed through Group B, with a perfect three wins from three.

When all was said and done in the Hungarian capital this evening, though, to say that the Dutch flattered to deceive would be putting it lightly.

A hugely underwhelming display, capped off by Matthijs de Ligt’s needless dismissal early in the 2nd-half, eventually saw the underdog Czechs secure a deserved 2-0 victory, to march on to the final-8.

Tomáš Holeš put Jaroslav Šilhavý’s men in front a little over twenty minutes from time, heading home from close range following a sustained spell of pressure:

#CZE lead… and it had been coming!

Holes nods home at the back post… and #NED have it all to do now 😲#NEDCZE | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/rCWCIbxDDP

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 27, 2021

And Patrik Schick made sure of the result with 80 minutes on the clock, notching his 4th goal of Euro 2020 to send the Czech crowd in attendance into delirious celebrations:

Euro 2020 really is Patrik Schick’s playground 🎡

The #CZE striker has his fourth goal of the tournament – and unless something dramatic happens now, #NED are going home 🧳#NEDCZE | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/VHdl2ps5Yx

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 27, 2021

England boost

Whilst of course a wonderful night for all associated with the Czechs themselves, though, another nation who will no doubt be quietly enthused by Šilhavý and co. sending the talented Dutch packing is England.

Gareth Southgate’s men are of course currently preparing for a crunch Round-of-16 showdown with Germany on Tuesday night.

And, should the Three Lions get the better of Die Mannschaft, they will be licking their lips at the prospect of the road ahead.

One of Sweden or Ukraine lies in wait in the Euros’ last-8, a tie which England would head into as widespread favourites. And, with the dangerous Netherlands now en route home, the Czech Republic could well follow in the tournament’s semi-finals.

Southgate’s charges of course got the better of the Czechs just days ago, cruising to a 1-0 victory in the nation’s final group stage outing. Their previous meeting at Wembley, in a qualifier for the Euros, meanwhile, saw England run riot, en route to an eventual 5-0 final scoreline.

As such, it goes without saying that, should both nations manage to navigate their respective paths to the final-4, the Three Lions will be hugely confident in their chances of clinching a first-ever European Championship finale berth.