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France snatch win on emotional night in Amsterdam

A minute's applause took place in the 14th minute at the Amsterdam ArenA.
A minute's applause took place in the 14th minute at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Netherlands 2-3 France

On an emotional night for the Netherlands, France left Amsterdam with a 3-2 victory after Blaise Matuidi grabbed a late winner for the visitors.

Tributes were paid before and during the friendly international against the French to the legendary former Holland and Ajax star Johan Cruyff, who died on Thursday.

Matuidi struck three minutes from full-time to secure a 3-2 win for France, moments after Holland had come from two goals down to level.

The referee stopped play to signal a minute's applause in the 14th minute, representing the iconic number worn by Cruyff for Holland.

However, by then the hosts were already 2-0 down through goals from Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.

Griezmann hit an unstoppable free-kick from the edge of the area to open the scoring after only six minutes.

And seven minutes later Holland cleared a corner only as far as Matuidi who nodded the ball back into the box for Giroud to volley home.

Luuk de Jong halved the defecit when he glanced in a cross from Memphis Depay.

Dimitri Payet then hit a post for France before Holland levelled through Ibrahim Afellay, who was left unmarked from Depay's short corner.

But the home fans were still celebrating when Anthony Martial played in Matuidi to hit the winner.

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