Netherlands fails to qualify for Euro 2016 with 3–2 loss to Czech Republic
The Netherlands has been eliminated from the 2016 European Championship qualification after suffering a 3–2 loss to the Czech Republic at Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday.
The Dutch needed to defeat the Czech Republic and Turkey needed to lose to Iceland for the Netherlands to gain a qualifying spot. This is the first time since 1984 that the Netherlands has missed out on the tournament.
The Netherlands finished third at last year’s World Cup in Brazil and second at World Cup 2010. The Dutch won the European championship crown in 1988 and finished third in 1992, 2000 and 2004. Most recently, they were eliminated in the group stage back in 2012.
Pavel Kaderabek hit a shot in the 24th minute for the game’s first goal. Just 11 minutes later, Josef Sural hit a close-range shot past Jeroen Zoet at his near post to put one of the final nails in the coffin for the Dutch.
Robin van Persie entered the game in the 39th minute before accidentally scoring a goal on his own net in the 83rd minute. He would later recover by scoring what amounted to a consolation goal for the Netherlands in the 88th minute.
Turkey only needed a draw or a win against Iceland to finish third, since it had the advantage in the head-to-head matchup against the Netherlands. Turkey and the Netherlands had 15 and 13 points, respectively, entering Tuesday’s action. Turkey defeated Iceland 1–0.
The Czech Republic had already secured its spot in France for next year.
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- Christopher Chavez
