The Juventus defender was sent off early in the second half, sparking a collapse from his side
Matthijs de Ligt made unwanted European Championship history during the Netherlands’ last-16 tie against the Czech Republic.
Dismissed for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity with 55 minutes on the clock, De Ligt became the youngest player to be sent off during the competition’s knockout stages.
At 21 years and 319 days, the Juventus defender took over the mantle from Italy’s Gianluca Zambrotta, who was sent off as a 23-year-old during a Euro 2000 semi-final against the Dutch. It proved a heavy blow for the Dutch side, who would go on to lose the tie 2-0, having been heavy favourites going into the game.
What was the reaction?
De Ligt had been praised prior to his dismissal for the excellent match he was playing.
De Ligt having a monster game so far and he’ll have to given his two defensive partners and his goalie and his coach. he and Frenkie holding the Czechs at bay.
— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) June 27, 2021
His red card, however, saw the Juventus man’s reputation take a battering.
4 – Netherlands have been shown four red cards at the EUROs, with two coming against Czechoslovakia (both in 1976) and two against Czech Republic (2004, 2020). Spooky. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/247Qyj4n2F
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 27, 2021
De Ligt should have taken lessons from Phil Jones,, pic.twitter.com/lSxCrT6zZz
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) June 27, 2021
A bit dark for de Ligt, but right.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) June 27, 2021
It was at this point De Ligt knew…#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fzzplINLlq
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) June 27, 2021
Utterly inexplicable from De Ligt. Right decision (eventually) but situation seemed salvageable even after he lost his balance. #NED
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) June 27, 2021
De Ligt when his country needs him most: pic.twitter.com/leJ1TbCXm7
— Cayden 🔴🔰 (@CaydenUTD) June 27, 2021
Suspect the Dutch would like to just press control alt de ligt and start again.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) June 27, 2021
Memories of De Ligt’s first few months with Juve with the handballs. This time it leads to a red card at #EURO2020
— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) June 27, 2021
Others, meanwhile, pointed to the opportunity that Donyell Malen missed moments earlier as being vital.
Yeah, De Ligt got sent off but just kick it in the goal pal pic.twitter.com/drkhbBmwOo
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 27, 2021
Oh my goodness. From that Malen chance to a De Ligt red card. It’s all going wrong for those orange boys.
— Zito (@_Zeets) June 27, 2021
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