It was never in any doubt, as the Netherlands had booked their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2020 with a game to spare – following victories against Ukraine and Austria. But Frank de Boer’s side confirmed their place as winners of Group C with a 3-0 win over minnows North Macedonia in their final group game.
Memphis Depay opened the scoring for the Oranje midway through the first half before a Georginio Wijnaldum brace in eight second-half minutes secured the result. Their opponents in the round of 16 are yet to be confirmed, but the Netherlands will travel to Budapest to take on one of the best third-placed teams on June 27th.
And it was captain Wijnaldum, deputising for Virgil Van Dijk, who made headlines earlier this month, when it was reported that the midfielder will be joining French giants Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal. He made the headlines again after a dominant performance in front of 12,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena – giving his former club Liverpool a reminder of what they have lost. The 30-year-old was unable to agree an extension on his contract – and has departed Merseyside on a free transfer. He will join his new teammates at the conclusion of the tournament.
There’s no doubt that this latest performance will rub salt in the open wounds of the Anfield faithful, who were disappointed and shocked to see Gini go – but it will leave fans of Ligue 1 and the Paris-based club relishing the prospect of the Dutchman in their midfield next season, as they look to regain the league title, having lost out to Lille last campaign.
Not only did the brace land the Netherlands a perfect record in the group stages, but Wijnaldum moved level with Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick as the tournament’s top goal scorer, with three goals – and must now surely be fancied in the Euro 2020 betting markets for the Golden Boot.
The captain’s two goals in Amsterdam take him up to 25 for the national team in just 78 games – and he etches his name in the history books alongside many greats to have turned out in the famous orange strip. He’s one goal ahead of Marco van Basten, who netted 24 goals in 58 appearances, and is level with Rafael van der Vaart, who finished his career with 25 goal (from 109 caps). He’s also three goals behind Depay, with the 27-year-old notching 28 goals in 67 appearances.
And the duo teamed up nicely in what was a solid performance for the Netherlands. Not only did Depay score the opening goal, but he also teed up his former PSV teammate, Wijnaldum for the other two – first providing a well-placed cross for a simple tap-in, before the Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski fumbled Depay’s shot into the path of Wijnaldum, who simply couldn’t have missed from close range.
Former Dutch international Nigel de Jong sang the midfielder’s praises during his punditry on ITV’s coverage of the match.
“He’s always on the move and looking for the ball to drop in that area. That’s what makes him so special.
“I think Gini is up there with the most underrated players when it comes down to his work ethic and also quality-wise.
“When they’re missing Van Dijk he’s the next man to step up and being the captain that he is he leads by example.”
There’s no denying that Wijnaldum was an integral cog in Jürgen Klopp’s side – one that won the Champions League in 2019, as well as the Premier League title the following year. But for now, Liverpool fans will have to watch him continue to light up the European Championship stage and wonder what might have been.