The Netherlands scored an 85th-minute winner through Denzel Dumfries to overcome a stubborn Ukraine side 3-2 at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday.
The Oranje, appearing in a major tournament following a seven-year absence, had squandered a two-goal lead against the hard-fighting East Europeans before Dumfries scored the match-winner.
The entertaining Group C encounter saw all five goals scored in the second half.
Giorgino Wijnaldum, recently signed by Paris Saint-Germain, gave Frank de Boer’s men the lead on 52 minutes, smashing an unstoppable drive past Georgiy Bushchan, the Ukraine goalkeeper, who was an impenetrable wall in an entertaining first half.
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Dumfries then turned provider when a high press saw him inadvertently pass the ball towards Wout Weghorst and the VFL Wolfsburg striker smashed another unstoppable one-time shot to double the Dutch’s lead.
It would take a goal of the tournament contender from Andriy Yamolenko to half the deficit with a curling shot into the top corner from the edge of the area on 75 minutes. Roman Yaremchuk equalised four minutes later through a header from a deep free-kick.
The Netherlands would however seal the win in dramatic fashion six minutes later through Dumfries, the 25-year-old PSV Eindhoven striker.
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The Netherlands will next play Austria, who earned a first-ever Euros win with a 3-1 victory over North Macedonia.
In an earlier game, England earned a 1-0 win over Croatia at Wembley Stadium thanks to Raheem Sterling’s 57th minute strike. The Manchester City winger slotted home Kalvin Philips’ pass following a mazy run from the Leeds United playmaker.
RESULTS
England 1-0 Croatia
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Austria 3-1 North Macedonia
Netherlands 3-2 Ukraine
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