The Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt has accepted full responsibility for his team’s shocking defeat to the Czech Republic in the Euro 2020 last-16. The Juventus centre-back received a silly red card in the 55th minute, leaving his teammates high and dry against a rampant Czech side at the Puskas Arena.
Frank de Boer’s ‘Flying Dutchmen’ qualified for the Euro 2020 knock-outs as one of just three sides to win all three group stage fixtures and were warm favorites to prevail against Jaroslav Silhavy’s team. With the talent from Europe’s top divisions bursting at the seams, the Netherlands were expected to become the first quarter-finalists.
However, things went terribly wrong for the Euro 1988 champions in Budapest, as they went 2-0 down to the Czech Republic, who continues to amaze Europe. Much of the blame for the Netherlands’ crashing evening in Hungary has been pinned on De Ligt, as the young defender had another ‘zone out.’
The 21-year-old first misread a long ball and then overextended his arm to prevent Patrik Schick from going one-on-one with the keeper. Although referee Sergei Karasev initially showed him a yellow card, De Ligt was sent off following the VAR review. His team went on to concede two unanswered goals and exit the competition.
During the post-game interview, De Ligt took the blame for the Netherland’s fiasco, admitting his expulsion changed the course of the match.
“Obviously, it hurts,” De Ligt told NOS TV as relayed by the Dail Star. “Fundamentally, we lost the game because of what I did.
“With hindsight, I shouldn’t have let the ball bounce. I felt like we had the game under control and had a few chances, especially in the first half.
“I didn’t even have the sensation that the Czechs were creating many scoring opportunities, but obviously the red card made the difference.”
The Netherlands failed to attempt a single shot on target against the Czech Republic, with the star attacking trio, Memphis Depay, Wout Weghorst, and Donyell Malen, performing well below their standards.