The UEFA Euro 2020 game between the Netherlands and Ukraine, on June 13, has been called the best game of the tournament so far.
The Netherlands won 3-2 in a game with five goals in the second half, a failed comeback, and many top-class performances at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
The Netherlands have been eager to score from the start, the team missed the last two major football tournaments.
Despite that, the Netherlands have been denied a fast goal by Ukraine’s goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan, who made several incredible saves in the first half.
At the second minute of the game, Dutch striker Memphis Depay led a surge through the midfield passing Ukraine’s defense only to be denied by Bushchan. Three minutes later, Bushchan made a vital save after a close-range shot from Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries.
Dumfries had a second attempt midway through the first half yet shot wide.
Ukraine fought back having several chances before halftime, including a spurt by Ukraine’s captain Andriy Yarmolenko.
Yet, the goals began poring in the second half.
On the 52nd minute, Bushchan deflected the right-flank cross by Dumfries only to see the ball land on the foot of midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who struck the empty net.
Six minutes later, Ukraine was pushed to the brink when Dutch striker Wout Weghorst doubled the score.
Yet Ukraine didn’t give up.
At the 75th minute, midfielder Yarmolenko struck a spectacular shot into the top-left corner. The perfect shot from 20 meters away has been credited as the best goal of the tournament thus far.
Four minutes later, striker Roman Yaremchuk completed the comeback by striking a Dutch goal with a header after a perfect freekick from midfielder Roman Malinovsky.
However, the Netherlands restored the lead and eventually sealed the game with a late-game header from Dumfries.
The game was the first for both teams in the tournament.
Ukraine and the Netherlands are drawn into UEFA Euro 2020 Group C and are scheduled to face Austria and North Macedonia later this week. Austria had little problems with North Macedonia on June 13, beating the newcomers 3-1.
