Netherlands 2-0 Sweden
As betting odds go, it was always a highly improbable scenario.
Yes, Holland could see off the Swedes on home turf to at least bring down the curtain on a disappointing qualifying campaign on a positive note.
But the likelihood of scoring seven and not conceding – what Dick Advocaat’s side needed to progress – was more than a big ask.
These two nations have produced some exciting football games over the years, yet despite two first half goals from the sole world class talent in the Holland class of 2017, Arjen Robben, anyone who opted for a football prediction of a 7-0 romp were deluded.
Denied a place at the 2014 World Cup Final only by a penalty shoot-out defeat, the Dutch have now missed out on a major tournament for the second time in succession – for the first time since 1984 and 1986 – and the inquests will now truly begin.
In truth, this was too little too late in Amsterdam and, even at 2-0 up going into the break, the home players knew they were never going to score five more against a nation of the calibre of Sweden, who will now contest a play-off next month.
In truth, little blame can be attached to Advocaat who has overseen four victories out of five since returning to take charge of Oranje in May.
Mission impossible was in place from the moment the three times World Cup runners-up failed to see off the minnows of Belarus and Luxembourg earlier in qualifying.
Whether skipper Robben’s 96th appearance for the national team is his final one, he is now 33, remains to be seen.
Certainly, tonight’s events proved the future is not so bright and it certainly is not orange.
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