Netherlands coast past 10-man Portugal

The Netherlands scored three first-half goals as they sauntered to a 3-0 victory over Euro 2016 champions Portugal in Switzerland.

Ronald Koeman was looking for his first win as Dutch manager after a 1-0 defeat to England on Friday, and gave Ryan Babel and Memphis Depay the nod to start in attack.

Portugal were coming off the back of a dramatic late win against Egypt, but they failed to keep their momentum as Memphis Depay, Ryan Babel and Virgil van Dijk struck.

In the second half, Joao Cancelo earned a second yellow card after a lunge at Tonny Vilhena, ending any chance of a comeback, and Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly frustrated by a succession of crowd invaders who came to bother him a minute later.

With 12 substitutions made after the restart, the game quickly lost its rhythm, giving little encouragement to Portugal for the World Cup, and a glimmer of hope for the Dutch who continue rebuilding.

Koeman may have found a solution to his striking problems. The Netherlands don't have any impressive strikers to call upon, so Koeman simply didn't use any at all. Babel and Memphis offer speed and technique through the middle, and while it isn't quite the same as using a false nine, it makes the best use of the resources available to him.

Matthijs De Ligt (Netherlands): The 18-year-old Ajax defender had a rough night on Friday and should have conceded a penalty against Marcus Rashford. Against Portugal he was involved in every goal and put in a solid defensive performance along with the rest of his side. He could be a promising player for the future.

Portugal: Anthony Lopes 6, Joao Cancelo 5, Rolando 6, José Fonte 6, Mario Rui 6, Manuel Fernandes 6, Andre Gomes 5, Adrien Silva 6, Bruno Fernandes 6, Quaresma 5, Ronaldo 6. Subs: Neto 6, Andre Silva 6, Guedes 6, Gelson Martins 7, Moutinho 6, Joao Mario 6.

Netherlands: Cillessen 7, Tete 6, De Ligt 8, Van Dijk 7, Aké 6, Vilhena 7, Propper 6, Van de Beek 8, Wijnaldum 7, Depay 7, Babel 7. Subs: De Vrij 6, De Roon 6, Til 7, Kluivert 6, Berghuis 6, Fosu-Mensah 6.

12' - GOAL! Portugal 0-1 Netherlands. Memphis scores - Memphis carries the ball forward, plays it out wide, it's slipped forward to De Ligt, who pulls it back for Van De Beek, and his effort in the box is turned on past the 'keeper by Memphis.

32' - GOAL! Portugal 0-2 Netherlands. Babel scores - Van De Beek releases De Ligt down the right wing, he fizzes in a cross from the edge of the box, and Babel can thunder in a header from close range.

45+2' - GOAL! Portugal 0-3 Netherlands. Van Dijk scores - Memphis is hacked on the right wing by Rolando, and wins a free kick. Memphis takes the free kick, curling in a cross that De Ligt heads down for Van Dijk to lash home.

48' - CILLESSEN SAVE - Quaresma delivers a free kick from the right, Ronaldo meets it and sends a header to the bottom corner, and Cillessen stretches out an arm to beat it away with his wrist.

61' - RED CARD! JOAO CANCELO IS OFF! Cancelo sticks out a leg into Vilhena, tripping him to the ground. The ref has no hesitation to send him off for his second yellow.

Against the Netherlands, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to have a shot in an international game for the first time since the final of the Euros v France in 2016 (via Opta)