Euro 2021 Elimination Round Day 2 Update

Euro 2021 Round of 16 Scores: Day 2

Czech Republic 2, Netherlands 0 – This result admittedly came as a stunner, at least to me. I fully expected Netherlands to advance.  

Instead, they got dominated. At least in the second half they did, anyway.  

Of course, it did not help that the Dutch seemed to shoot themselves in the foot. Matthijs de Ligt received a red card in the 55th minute of what had been, to that point, a scoreless and very tight game.  

But this unforced error meant that the Dutch team was playing short-handed, with only ten players. And the Czech Republic took advantage in a big way.  

Tomáš Holeš broke through first, scoring in the 68th minute to give the Czechs a 1-0 lead.  

Then, star Patrik Schick got what was likely the backbreaker in the 80th minute, putting the game out of reach, allowing the Czechs to advance, and sending the Netherlands home much earlier than they wanted to. The Dutch had been hoping for a strong tournament after missing the last World Cup in a stunner. Seems like they will have to wait until next time.  

Belgium 1, Portugal 0 – It was a very hard fought, close contest between the defending champions Portugal, and the Belgians, who had placed third in the most recent World Cup.  

Indeed, the two teams were deadlocked in a scoreless draw until Thorgan Hazard broke through with a goal that stunned the Portuguese.  

Statistically, Portugal dominated the game. They had significantly more shots on goal, more corner kicks, owned a decisive advantage in time of possession, had greater pass accuracy, and fewer fouls. On almost every level, you might have thought that the Portuguese would have earned the win.  

About the only thing where they did not have the advantage was in converting opportunities into scores. The Belgians themselves only broke through once, but with their stellar defensive play, it was enough.  

Just like that, one of the powerhouse teams, the team that went all the way in the last Euro, has been eliminated, while Belgium must feel like they are flying high.