The Republic were looking good after Adam Idah's early opener but a game which started with so much hope ultimately ended in crushing disappointment.

Automatic qualification for the finals in Germany next year now looks beyond Stephen Kenny's men as they prepare for a final push in Group B and a possible play-off place.

We'll be back for those last three qualifiers but that's all from us for now.

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Stephen Kenny speaking to RTE Sport:

"We are absolutely gutted that we didn't win there. To beat one of the best teams in Europe you have to see out those difficult periods and we didn't do that for the second goal.

"We've got two matches in October and after that it's certainly not my decision [to remain manager] but we will have to see whether we have the play-off in March which is still a chance.

"I think the players gave everything tonight. In the first half they were absolutely excellent, deserved to be in front at half time but we came out on the wrong side. France are the best team in the world and Holland are one of the best in Europe and we are missing four or five of our best players tonight but we gave it everything and came up short."

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny speaking to RTE Sport:

"We have to see if we qualify for a play-off in March, so that has to be decided over the next couple of months.

"I know the level of our pressing was exceptional in that first half and we were prepared to go man-to-man against one of the top seeds, Argentina beat them on penalties in the World Cup. We were prepared to go man-to-man right across the pitch and we got our reward and to be honest we should have capitalised on some situations after that goal as well. We had chances to go again and create.

"I was disappointed with the goal we conceded. For whatever reason, our energy levels of the first half couldn't be sustained, that level of intensity. The 90 minutes in Paris where we put a phenomenal effort in, so that probably had an impact on that.

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Jason Knight speaking to RTE Sport:

"We played really well for large parts of the game but ultimately we're here to get results and we didn't, so we are massively disappointed.

"We definitely had chances to get that second killer goal but it wasn't to be. A good performance but we are really disappointed about the result.

"The manager and the staff have been great. I owe them a lot. The lads are still fully behind them as well. Qualification is going to be hard now but there's always a glimmer of hope. We will try and regroup again for the next camp."

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Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

They've had a good go again Ireland. They did really, really well early on. It's small margins. It's a night like we've seen many times before.

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Big win for the Dutch, big defeat for the Irish.

It started so well for the hosts with Adam Idah's penalty but Cody Gapko levelled from the spot before Wout Weghorst's second-half winner.

The Republic started the game with so much zest but that evaporated in the second half and it was such a limp finish.

Stephen Kenny's team are now six points off a qualifying spot with just three games left - this was a match they needed to win but hopes of making the finals in Germany look all but over now.

Netherlands stay in the second place and level on points with Greece, who thumped bottom side Gibraltar 5-0 tonight.

The ball is thrown into the Netherlands area but it's cleared as the Dutch sit back and attempt to see out the rest of the game.

We'll have five minutes of additional time.

Into the last five minutes and the Republic are not posing much of the threat as they chase an equaliser.

The passing and movement is too slow, making it comfortable at the back for the Dutch.

However, it's football so anything could happen before the final whistle.

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Dutch scorer Cody Gapko is off and is replaced for the final 10 minutes by Noa Lang.

The Republic's intensity - so evident in first half - has definitely dropped a level but they are going to have to up it again to get something of this game, which is drifting away from them.

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Irish pair Will Smallbone and Jamie McGrath are brought on with just over 15 minutes to go.

Xavi Simons bursts past Ryan Manning and crosses but he can't pick out an orange shirt in the six-yard box as the hosts clear.

The Republic badly need a goal but Netherlands look the more likely to score next.

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A third Dutch substitution as Teun Koopmeiners comes on for Donyell Malen.

Chiedozie Ogbene claims he was pushed by Virgil van Dijk in the box - the referee decides it's no penalty and the VAR agrees.

Ryan Manning replaces James McClean in Stephen Kenny's first change of the game.

Netherlands are beginning to see more of the ball after going in front.

It's a big 10 minutes now for the Republic as they try to muster a response.

Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

It's a great run from Dumfries, he makes that run around but somebody should have seen him.

Stephen Kenny talked about weary legs after the France game. Will we start seeing some changes?

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That's a superb interception from Republic midfielder Alan Browne as he gets back to divert a Xavi Simons shot out for a corner - it comes to nothing,

Image source, Getty Images