France beat Netherlands in Johan Cruyff tribute match

France won 3-2 in an important friendly match to prepare for Euro 2016. For the Netherlands, the result was not as meaningful as the actions to remember and honor their recently deceased legend.

The friendly match at the Amsterdam Arena yesterday, March 25, was initially just a regular friendly match according to the international match schedule that had been set in advance. But with Johan Cruyff passing away at the age of 68 the day before, this match became a memorial match for him.Dutch football legend.

Flowers and a No. 14 shirt – Cruyff’s playing number – were placed on an empty seat in the VIP section. The number was also printed on the right sleeve of each Dutch player, but none of the home team players wore the shirt.

A minute's silence for Cruyff at the Amsterdam Arena. Photo: Reuters.

As the clock struck 14 minutes, the referee stopped the match to observe a minute's silence for Cruyff. His portrait was displayed on the stadium's big screen. All the players, coaching staff and spectators present at the stadiumInstead of silently commemorating, everyone stood up and applauded to commemorate the statue that had just passed away. Below the statue, the electronic billboards running around also displayed the name Johan Cruyff and the year of his birth and death (1947-2016).

In addition to the above rituals, the players of both teams also tried their best to compete, creating an exciting score chase to show respect for Cruyff. The Netherlands, despite trying their best, had to accept the result of losing 2-3 to a stronger and much better French team.

The visitors opened the scoring in the sixth minute thanks to a beautiful left-footed free-kick from in-form Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. A minute before the match was stopped in memory of Cruyff, Olivier Giroud doubled France's advantage with a strike from the centre of the box following a corner.

The Netherlands came back strongly after the break and reduced the score in the 47th minute, when substitute Memphis Depay set up Luke de Jong to finish. Depay, the star who is disappointing at Man Utd, continued to play the role of the creator for teammate Ibrahim Afellay to accurately shoot with his right foot, equalizing 2-2 in the 86th minute.

France (white shirt) has an important friendly match to complete the squad for Euro 2016. Photo: Reuters.

However, the hope that the Netherlands had ignited was quickly extinguished by France with the match-winning situation just a minute later. Depay's teammate at Man Utd, Martial passed the ball to midfielder Blaise Matuidi who finished with his left foot from a tight angle, past goalkeeper Cillessen, sealing a 3-2 victory for the French team.

According to VNE