The Netherlands U21 side pulled off a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship quarterfinals, despite playing with ten men for over 70 minutes. Ernest Poku’s late strike sealed the win after Geovany Quenda missed a crucial first-half penalty for Portugal, sending the Dutch into the semifinals in heroic fashion.
Match Recap
The match at Štadión pod Dubňom began with high intensity, and the Dutch were dealt a major blow in the 21st minute when Ruben van Bommel received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Quenda. Reduced to ten men, the Netherlands were forced into a defensive shell.
Portugal had a golden opportunity to capitalize just minutes later. In the 27th minute, Tiago Tomás was brought down in the box by Devyne Rensch, and the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review. Quenda stepped up but saw his penalty crash off the post, a miss that would haunt the Seleção.
Despite their numerical advantage, Portugal struggled to break down a resolute Dutch defense. The Netherlands nearly took the lead in the 36th minute when Chico Lamba turned Ian Maatsen’s cross into his own net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
As the match wore on, the Dutch grew in confidence. In the 84th minute, substitute Ernest Poku latched onto a through ball from Maatsen, weaved past three defenders, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the Netherlands a stunning lead.
Portugal pushed for an equalizer in the dying minutes, but Robin Roefs stood tall in goal, and the Dutch defense held firm to complete a famous win.
Key Moments
- 21’ – Van Bommel Sent Off: A second yellow card left the Netherlands with ten men early on.
- 27’ – Quenda’s Missed Penalty: Struck the post after Tomás was fouled in the box.
- 36’ – Disallowed Goal: Dutch own goal ruled out for offside.
- 84’ – Poku’s Winner: A solo effort that sealed the upset.
- 90+5’ – Final Whistle: Dutch resilience rewarded with a semifinal berth.
Tactical Takeaways
Michael Reiziger’s side showed remarkable discipline and tactical awareness, maintaining a compact shape and hitting Portugal on the counter. Despite having just 38% possession, the Netherlands created the better chances and executed their game plan to perfection.
What’s Next?
The Netherlands will now face England in the semifinals — a clash between two of the tournament’s most resilient sides. With momentum and belief on their side, the Dutch will be eyeing a place in the final.
Bet on All U-21 Euro games with Bangbet and Win BIG!
Bangbet More Than!