They got back on track in Hamburg on Sunday by winning the opening Group D match, 2-1, against Poland. It means that late substitute Wout Weghorst was able to score the winner, as did the former Manchester United forward.
Poland, without the injured star striker Robert Lewandowski, somehow broke through 16 minutes into the game when Adam Buksa converted at the back post from a corner whipped in by Piotr Zielinski. It set the Oranje further back, albeit after Tijjani Reijnders and Xavi Simons had come close before.
The Netherlands responded with thrashing rhythm, levelling 29 through Cody Gakpo's shot that deflected past Wojciech Szczesny, with Memphis Depay having fired wide just before. He added to his energetic display with five attempts in the first half, the most by a Dutch player in a Euros match since 1980.
In the second half, Poland came with a resolve to at least try and win back the lead. Jakub Kiwior's effort struck Nathan Ake and very nearly troubled the Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, before Zielinski again from range had another shot.
The Netherlands were equally clinical and incisive in their pursuit as Denzel Dumfries also saw a chance go inches wide. They finally broke the Polish rear-guard in the 84th minute when Weghorst maximized a precise pass by Nathan Ake to quite coolly slot the ball home and take the three points.
Poland hunted for an equalizer, substitute Karol Swiderski struck an excellent save on Verbruggen but the resultant Piotrowski effort hit the side-netting and buried Poland's chances thereafter.
The win takes Netherlands to the top of Group D ahead of the next match between France and Austria in Dusseldorf on Monday.
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