Denzel Dumfries and Memphis Depay shine as Netherlands sink Austria

The Netherlands are into the last 16 via the kind of solid display that is just fine during a tournament's group stage. Frank de Boer entered Euro 2020 much maligned for his deployment of a 3-5-2, scepticism that was hardly eased by a wobbly opening victory. Yet following a win built on the rock-solid Matthijs de Ligt in defence, De Boer's men have given him the best riposte: six points from six, which also means that players can be rested when North Macedonia visit on Monday.

Temperatures in the high 20s made this a sultry evening for a contest in which De Ligt's return from injury was key. De Boer's system suddenly appeared rounded, the Juventus man's ability to sense danger and kill it pulling the standard of the rearguard up towards the convincing quality of the Netherlands in attack.