Euro 2020: Dutch shows it still lag behind the European elite

It was eliminated in a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in the last 16 in Budapest which hinged on the second half dismissal of centre back Matthijs de Ligt, in stark contrast to previous tournaments where it has been genuine contenders.

Netherlands' players look dejected after the match on Sunday.

The Netherlands exited the European Championship on Sunday is a reminder that while it was making progress after years in the doldrums, it is still well off being one of the continent's top team.

It was eliminated in a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in the last 16 in Budapest which hinged on the second-half dismissal of centre back Matthijs de Ligt, in stark contrast to previous tournaments where it has been genuine contenders.

But while the calamity of the red card had a major bearing, it was overall a disappointingly limp performance from the Dutch in the searing heat on Sunday.

Only flying full-back Denzel Dumfries -- its player of the tournament -- upheld his growing reputation but its other stars of the previous three Euro 2020 matches failed to shine when needed most.

Striker Memphis Depay had a distinctly off day and captain Georgino Wijnaldum found himself hurried and out-pressed in midfield.

For coach Frank de Boer, it set off another round of recriminations from pundits, questioning his choices, his substitutions and his future at the helm of the team.

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He had already pricked before the start of the tournament with his decision to move away from the traditional ‘Holland school’ of an attacking 4-3-3 formation and rather employ two wingbacks in a 5-3-2 formation.

In a country more obsessed than most with the way its national team plays, it provoked a fiery debate and loud outcry, as it had when predecessor Louis van Gaal first dared tinker with Dutch tradition at the 2014 World Cup.

"I too thought that 4-3-3 was the best way to form triangles all over the field, but I did see the advantages of this other system. Today I think 5-3-2 is the best system. You can attack, defend, put pressure anywhere, and if you play well, take less risk," said Van Gaal in one of the few supporting arguments that De Boer received over the last weeks.

QUELLED FURY

Just as Van Gaal had quelled the fury as the Dutch reached the semifinals in Brazil, so De Boer muted the debate as the Dutch won its three group games, beating Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia with all the matches hosted in Amsterdam.

The team looked to be making strides after having missed out on the last two major tournaments – the last Euros in France in 2016 and the World Cup in Russia three years ago.

But it proved a mirage for success-hungry Dutch supporters, whose side had been in a World Cup final just over a decade ago and whose expectations had been ratcheted up again.

Instead, De Boer will now have to weather a renewed storm of criticism and continued questions over his competence as he ponders whether it is worth seeing if he can qualify the side for next year's World Cup in Qatar.