The Netherlands will not be participating in the 2016 European Championships after finishing fourth in their qualification group following a 3-2 defeat at home to the Czech Republic.
Turkey, who beat Iceland 1-0 courtesy of a stunning late free kick by Selcuk Inan, clinched an automatic qualification at the expense of the Dutch.
Two runaway goals from Pavel Kaderabek and Josef Sural put the Czechs 2-0 ahead, in the opening half-hour itself. A comical own goal scored by former Manchester United star Robin van Persie put the game firmly beyond the Dutch.
Although the Dutch pulled two goals back through Huntelaar and Van Persie, it was not enough to qualify for the playoff position in Group A.
From being the third best team in last year’s FIFA World Cup, to becoming the laughing stock of the football world after failing to qualify for an expanded Euros, the Dutch have fallen fast and fallen hard.
Here are some of the best twitter reactions to Holland’s capitulation at the Amsterdam Arena.
Wheels coming off for Holland. Must be one of fastest ever descents – from W Cup semi finalists to failure to qualify for expanded Euros.
a Owen Gibson (@owen_g) October 13, 2015
3-0 Czech Republic! pic.twitter.com/pAjs0bW4rm a TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) October 13, 2015
True pic.twitter.com/u0xlTMYXkU a Troll Football (@Troll__Football) . October 13, 2015
C’est fini .. #EURO2016 #?Y???Y???Y???Y???Y?? a Pierre van Hooijdonk (@pierrevh17) October 13, 2015
Turkish delight; Dutch despair. That really is game over for Netherlands #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/q8tajMjnUy
a Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 13, 2015
Turkey are going to Euro 2016! pic.twitter.com/EAtdgkDPkR a Soccer St. (@SoccerSt_) October 13, 2015
It’s over for the Dutch! They are not going to #EURO2016. pic.twitter.com/agxUNY4BIO a ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 13, 2015
Problem? pic.twitter.com/ChBNJY89Zp a Troll Football (@Troll__Football) October 13, 2015
Wasn’t the expansion to 24 teams supposed to stop this kind of thing from happening to Holland? a Chris Henderson (@chris_awk) October 13, 2015
Guess Ronald Koeman will be keeping an eye on his inbox tomorrow.
a Elko Born (@Elko_B) October 13, 2015
Total Football, 2015 style. Aim for the big lad in the box. Miss him, because Holland can’t even play long-ball football. a Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) October 13, 2015
Ofcourse, Robin Van Persie wasn’t spared.
Robin Van Persie with a quality finisha in the wrong net. Netherlands 3-0 down; Euro 2016 dream dead. pic.twitter.com/hX6GSbufJX a Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 13, 2015
Van Persie’s incredible own goal seals the darkest hour for Holland and 0-3 defeat at home vs Czech Rep. 1 … https://t.co/qs2BBmjpOt a Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) October 13, 2015
And then they said Van Persie can’t score.. a Troll Football (@Troll__Football) October 13, 2015
Such is Robin Van Persie’s current career trajectory, he’ll be retired by midnight and managing Sunderland by Thursday. a Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) October 13, 2015
WAIT! Goal for Netherlands… pic.twitter.com/9fwVoyKogd a Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 13, 2015
Van Persie scores! We’re back in this match…. Oh wait a Husman (@HusmanMusic) October 13, 2015
