The UEFA European Championship Qualification match held on the 18th November 2023 between the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland resulted in a narrow win for the former, who defeated the visitors with a 1-0 scoreline. This battle was notable for a relatively clean game, although the statistics reveal a complex story of the match dynamics.

In the first half of the game, at 00:11:10, Netherlands secured their sole goal of the match. With such an early goal, the momentum was set for the latter and the Republic of Ireland had an uphill task ahead, despite it only being early into the game. However, they were unable to turn the tide and score any goals resulting in a defeat.

The Republic of Ireland found themselves on the defensive for a majority of the match, evidenced by their 4 offsides compared to Netherlands' zero. This tactic seemed to backfire, as it possibly disrupted their own attacking flow and gave Netherlands more opportunities to replenish their defensive lines.

Netherlands' improved ball movement could also be seen in the higher number of corner kicks, with 5 as compared to Ireland's 3. Interestingly, the home team registered 12 fouls, thrice that of Ireland's count. However, they successfully avoided any yellow cards, showcasing a level of controlled aggression over the game.

The lower foul count, alongside the higher number of offside calls, suggests that Republic of Ireland were most likely playing a defensive and cautionary strategy. This approach reflected in the statistics as they were able to limit Netherlands to just one goal. However, it cost them on the offensive front, as they were unable to score any goals themselves. A yellow card accorded to the Republic of Ireland in the second half at 01:29:16, delineates additional pressure on Ireland leading to minor infractions.

Overall, the match statistics reveal that the Netherlands' aggressive and dominating gameplay together with an early goal were the main driving forces behind their victory. Whilst the Republic of Ireland's defensive strategy restrained further damage, it limited their counter attacking opportunities. Thus, a single goal was enough for the home team to secure the victory, as the visitors were unable to reply offensively.

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