The sad story of the Netherlands in Football

The Netherlands began there third world cup in 1974 with great performances, they were the best nation at that time to play football. They defeated nations as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and the DDR with great numbers. But then they had to play to final against West Germany, Unfortunately they didn't won it but they had lost of great chances.

The euros in 1976 were good for Netherlands, They finished Third. Netherlands began there World cup in 1978 with strong winners and the came into the final after the 2-1 win on Italy. They came in the final against Argentina. But Cruyff and Van Hanegem (best players of the netherlands that time) didn't play in the final. The main reason why Cruyff didn't play was because he and his family were kidnapped and Cruyff was unable to play. If Cruyff did play in the final, the score sure changed its way and i think Netherlands maybe won it if Cruyff played in it. He played a crucial role in all sort of positions and his gameplay was great compared to other nations.

After 10 bad years at the World cup and Euros, Netherlands have qualified its way to the euros. They  Beat England 1-3 and they go on to the quarter final. They won the quarter final 1-0 against Ireland. Then they were facing Germany in the semi-final. Netherlands played well that game and they won 1-2. Then they meet the Soviet Union in the final. Netherlands was dominating that game and they won 2-0. It was there first international mayor trophy.

Netherlands followed with succes after the winning euros in 1988. Netherlands came in the 1992 euros in the semi-final against Denmark. They were both strong but unfortunately Netherlands loses against Denmark after hectic penalties. Then, World Cup 1994, Netherlands began strong but ended up losing against Brazil with 3-2 in the quarter final. Moving to 1998, the World Cup in France. Netherlands was unbelievable strong, they made their way to the semi-final after the 2-1 win on Argentina. Then they had to face Brazil in the semi-final. Netherlands was better that game but ended up missing good chances. They tied and it's comes down to penalties. Unfortunately, Brazil did win on penalties. I don't know what it is with the Netherlands, but they are always going out on penalties.

In 2000, the Netherlands organized its own final round for the first time. Together with Belgium, it was the host country of the European Championship. After a difficult and fortunate victory over the Czech Republic (1-0), the Dutch team came into their own. Led by national coach Frank Rijkaard, the team won 3-0 against Denmark and 3-2 against France. Yugoslavia was then defeated 6-1. The Netherlands was living on a pink cloud. The European title was up for grabs. Especially when Italy found itself with ten men early on in the semi-finals. The Dutch team had chance after chance, even missed two penalties, but the ball would not go in. Ultimately, there was also a miss in the penalty shootout. The Dutch dream shattered.

The Netherlands team did not qualify for the World cup in 2002. At the Euros two years later in Portugal, the Netherlands won a penalty shootout against Sweden, but host country Portugal was to strong in the semi-finals. The Netherlands started the Euros in 2008 with a 3-0 victory over World Champions Italy and a 4-1 victory over France. However, it completely unexpectedly lost to Russia after extra time in the quarter finals.

Two years later, the Netherlands played less exciting, but were particularly effective at the World Cup in South Africa. Ultimately, the team even reached the final under national coach Bert van Marwijk. Highlights were the victories over Brazil (quarter-final 2-1) and Uruguay (semi-final 3-2). In the final, Spain was too strong 1-0 after extra time.

Andrès Iniesta's goal came after John Heitinga had previously been sent off with two yellow cards. Arjen Robben's chance at 0-0 became a national trauma. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas barely saved the ball with the tip of his foot. The achievements of Orange caused enormous Orange celebrations in the country. Back in the Netherlands, the team was honored on the Museumplein and followed another cruise through the Amsterdam canals.

In August 2011, the Dutch team was the proud leader of the FIFA rankings. Since the introduction of the list, the Dutch team has usually been among the top ten. Lows were 22nd place in 1997 and 26th place in the summer of 2016.

The 2012 European Championships in Ukraine and Poland were a big disappointment. The Dutch lost all group matches and were able to go home straight away. The team left for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 without expectations. However, national coach Louis van Gaal's team surprised friend and foe. During the first match, the team won 5-1 against World and European champion Spain in a wonderful match. Robin van Persie's diving header was incredibly beautiful.

The penalty shootout against Costa Rica in the quarter-finals was also memorable. Just before the end of extra time, Van Gaal brought in goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and brought on Tim Krul as a penalty killer. The goalkeeper lived up to his status and helped the Dutch team to the semi-finals. Penalties again had to decide the match. However, Cillessen could not guide his team to the final.1 Ultimately, the Dutch team triumphed in the consolation final. Host country Brazil was defeated 3-0.

The Netherlands began there way in the Nations league in on of the most difficult groups ever with Germany and France, World cup winners in 2014 and 2018. The Netherlands were so good that tournament, they finished first after wins on Germany (3-0) and France (2-1). Then they faced England in the Semi-final. The Netherlands won that game easily. Then they faced up Portugal in the final. Unfortunately they losed it. The Netherlands were better on the ball, but Portugal shorted when they can and they shorted the 1-0 and the game was finished.

Netherlands began there World cup quitte simple in a not so good group. They won easily against host country Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal. Then Netherlands faced the United States in the round of 16. Netherlands won it with 3-1. They moved on to the Quarter final where they faced Argentina. Argentina scored 2-0 in the first half. After the second half, Netherlands dominated the game, in the begin of the 82 minute, Wout Weghorst scored the 2-1. In the 98 minute, Netherlands were given a free-kick. Koopmeinders passed it to Weghorst and Weghorst made the 2-2. They they faced penalties. Netherlands loses 4-3 with bad penalties from the Netherlands. But this world cup was rigged, The Fifa president wanted Messi to win the World cup, it was all set up to let Messi win it. i Mean, Let's have a look at the game between Netherlands and Argentina. What was that ref doing. Not even a card after messi began to volleyball, he litteraly touched the ball so surely, how was that not a yellow card, because later that game, Messi received a yellow card for a violation. Otherwise it could be red if the ref was giving Messi a red card because he was handballing. Also a thing, Paredes just made a violation to Ake, a yellow card. After that violation on Ake, Paredes shooted the ball hard into the bench of the Netherlands. He did that on Purpose. Why didn't he get a yellow card for that. Otherwise he also got red. So this is why the game was rigged, The should have been given two red cards to Argentina and zero to the Netherlands. If Argentina had 2 red cards, Netherlands would have won the game because they were better the second half. But unfortunatetly, FIFA always stands on the side of Argentina.

Netherlands began there group stage good with a 2-1 win on Poland a a 0-0 draw to France. The third game, they played against Austria. they lose 3-2 because Netherlands was playing so bad that game. They finished 3th in the group. The faced Romania in the round of 16. Netherlands defeated Romania easily with a 3-0 win. Then they faced up Turkey in the Quarter Final. Turkey scored just before half time. the Second Half, Netherlands dominated the game, in the 70 minute, Stefan de Vrij Headed the ball in the goal to make it 1-1. In the 76 minute, Netherlands scored again and they won the game 2-1. Then they faced up England in the semi finals. They began strong with a banger from Xavi Simons. Just 10 minutes after that, England gets a penalty and Kane scored it. This wasn't a penalty at all. Dumfries and Kane kicked each other shoes with the side after Kane already shooted the ball. Dumfries was hitting Kane with the side, and so did Kane. So it's not a penalty. Also, before that, Saka also made hands before giving the ball to Kane, why is that not a foul then? And why did the UEFA not give a penalty for the Netherlands, Ake was pushed in the 16, so why is that not a penalty? After that, Watkins scored a goal in the 90 minute. So the game was ended with a unfair 2-1 for England