Euro 2020: Georginio Wijnaldum brace as Netherlands complete perfect group phase
Updated On: 22 June, 2021 07:29 AM IST | Amsterdam | AFP
The Netherlands had already secured qualification for the last 16 as group winners after defeating Ukraine and Austria before a home support, and the 1988 European champions knew they were heading for a knockout tie in Budapest next weekend.
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Netherlands` midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (L) celebrates scoring his team`s third goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group C football match between North Macedonia and the Netherlands at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Pic/AFP
Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice and hailed his "special connection" with Memphis Depay as the Netherlands completed a perfect group stage at Euro 2020 by comfortably beating North Macedonia 3-0 in Amsterdam on Monday. The Dutch captain, who signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Liverpool just before the tournament, scored twice in the second half at the Johan Cruyff Arena after Depay had put them ahead. Depay, fresh from sealing a transfer of his own to Barcelona, could claim assists for both of Wijnaldum`s goals as Frank de Boer`s side made it nine points out of nine in Group C.
"Memphis and I played together for PSV and have played together for a long time for the national team so we have a special connection," said Wijnaldum, who took his total tally for the tournament to three. "It`s not only Memphis and me. We have other players who can make a difference," he added. The Netherlands had already secured qualification for the last 16 as group winners after defeating Ukraine and Austria before a home support, and the 1988 European champions knew they were heading for a knockout tie in Budapest next weekend. "We had some good moments and also some really bad ones but we played better in the second half and we can feel positive," said De Boer as he waits to find out who his team will face next. North Macedonia were already out after losing their first two games in their debut appearance at a major tournament.
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