<p>Flying full-back Denzel Dumfries scored a late winner to earn the Netherlands a 3-2 victory over Ukraine in a thrilling Group C opener at the European Championship on Sunday after the Dutch had thrown away a two-goal lead.</p>.<p>Dumfries rescued all three points for the home team five minutes from time after Ukraine had fought their way back into the match at the Johan Cruyff Arena.</p>.<p>The Dutch were 2-0 up with 15 minutes left, only to allow their opponents two quick goals and the chance to share the points before Dumfries headed home a dramatic winner to the delight of the home fans.</p>.<p>Captain Georginio Wijnaldum and striker Wout Weghorst netted within seven minutes early in the second half as the Dutch sought a successful return to a major tournament -- after a seven-year absence — in front of 16,000 spectators.</p>.<p>Wijnaldum’s left-foot finish in the 52nd minute opened the scoring before Weghorst quickly added a second.</p>.<p>That put the Dutch in command but Ukraine ensured a nervy finish when captain Andriy Yarmolenko pulled one back in the 75th minute with a superb strike and Roman Yaremchuk equalised four minutes later.</p>.<p>Wijnaldum scored for a fifth time in his last eight appearances for his country as he snapped up a clearance from Ukraine goalkeeper Georgiy Buschcan, who was attempting to push a square pass away from the dangerous Memphis Depay.</p>.<p>It was set up after another strong run down the flank from the Dutch, whose right wing back Dumfries was particularly dangerous and deserved his big moment at the end.</p>.<p>Dumfries was also the provider of the second in the 59th minute although Ukraine complained he had fouled Rutland Malinovskyi in trying to wrestle his way closer to goal.</p>.<p>Weghorst reacted quickest to a poor clearance from Mykola Matviyenko for his second goal in as many games as he repaid coach Frank de Boer’s faith in his hustling ability up front.</p>.<p>Yarmolenko brought Ukraine back into the game with a fine curling shot from outside the box after exchanging quick passes with Malinovskyi.</p>.<p>It was a first goal in six matches at the finals for Ukraine and was followed by an equally adept finish as Yaremchuk headed home Malinovskyi’s perfectly-weighted free kick.</p>.<p>Parity lasted only six minutes, however, as Dumfries headed home Nathan Ake’s cross.</p>.<p>"I am relieved," Wijnaldum said. "Overall, we played a good game, but we gave them two chances in 10 minutes which were two goals. We need to learn that if we play such a match we need to finish it off well. We let them get back into the game and that needs to improve."</p>
<p>Flying full-back Denzel Dumfries scored a late winner to earn the Netherlands a 3-2 victory over Ukraine in a thrilling Group C opener at the European Championship on Sunday after the Dutch had thrown away a two-goal lead.</p>.<p>Dumfries rescued all three points for the home team five minutes from time after Ukraine had fought their way back into the match at the Johan Cruyff Arena.</p>.<p>The Dutch were 2-0 up with 15 minutes left, only to allow their opponents two quick goals and the chance to share the points before Dumfries headed home a dramatic winner to the delight of the home fans.</p>.<p>Captain Georginio Wijnaldum and striker Wout Weghorst netted within seven minutes early in the second half as the Dutch sought a successful return to a major tournament -- after a seven-year absence — in front of 16,000 spectators.</p>.<p>Wijnaldum’s left-foot finish in the 52nd minute opened the scoring before Weghorst quickly added a second.</p>.<p>That put the Dutch in command but Ukraine ensured a nervy finish when captain Andriy Yarmolenko pulled one back in the 75th minute with a superb strike and Roman Yaremchuk equalised four minutes later.</p>.<p>Wijnaldum scored for a fifth time in his last eight appearances for his country as he snapped up a clearance from Ukraine goalkeeper Georgiy Buschcan, who was attempting to push a square pass away from the dangerous Memphis Depay.</p>.<p>It was set up after another strong run down the flank from the Dutch, whose right wing back Dumfries was particularly dangerous and deserved his big moment at the end.</p>.<p>Dumfries was also the provider of the second in the 59th minute although Ukraine complained he had fouled Rutland Malinovskyi in trying to wrestle his way closer to goal.</p>.<p>Weghorst reacted quickest to a poor clearance from Mykola Matviyenko for his second goal in as many games as he repaid coach Frank de Boer’s faith in his hustling ability up front.</p>.<p>Yarmolenko brought Ukraine back into the game with a fine curling shot from outside the box after exchanging quick passes with Malinovskyi.</p>.<p>It was a first goal in six matches at the finals for Ukraine and was followed by an equally adept finish as Yaremchuk headed home Malinovskyi’s perfectly-weighted free kick.</p>.<p>Parity lasted only six minutes, however, as Dumfries headed home Nathan Ake’s cross.</p>.<p>"I am relieved," Wijnaldum said. "Overall, we played a good game, but we gave them two chances in 10 minutes which were two goals. We need to learn that if we play such a match we need to finish it off well. We let them get back into the game and that needs to improve."</p>