Late Goals Seal Win for Netherlands Over Senegal

22/11/22 582

The Netherlands scored two late goals to take maximum points in their first 2022 World Cup group game against Senegal.

The Netherlands started the tournament as many peoples outsiders to win the competition and their performance will see them remain in that category, despite winning the match 2-0.

PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, who has been on the radar of Premier League clubs, opened the scoring with a header in the 84th minute and substitute Davy Klaassen added a second goal of the Dutch in the added time.

Senegal will be disappointed to start with a defeat and both teams struggled to get a foothold in the match.

The Netherlands were the better team in the first half and Frenkie de Jong should have done better as he was set free by Gakpo but took too long to shoot and was closed down by Senegalese defenders.

Ismaila Sarr was the standout performer for Senegal, causing the Dutch some problems as he advanced down the left wing but neither goalkeeper was troubled come halftime.

Into the second half and it was more of the same until the latter stages of the match. Boulaye Dia and Idrissa Gueye both tested Andries Noppert in the Dutch goal as the keeper made his debut for the Netherlands.

Virgil van Dijk should have done better as headed over from a corner as both teams struggled to make the breakthrough.

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal looked to his substitutes and introduced Memphis Depay in the 62nd minute. The Barcelona forward was deemed not fit enough to start the game but made some good touches when he came onto the pitch.

However, it was the combination of De Jong and Gakpo that opened the scoring in the 84th minute. Gakpo made a run into the penalty area from a wider position and De Jong curled the ball onto his head with Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy left stranded.

Mendy came out to try and claim the ball but was beaten in the air by Gakpo and it must go down as a goalkeeping error.

Mendy should also have done better for the second goal as he parried a weak shot from Depay straight to Klaassen who took full advantage to score.

Netherlands will be happy to take 3 points and that leaves them in a strong position in the group ahead of matches against Ecuador and Qatar.

The Dutch were underwhelming for much of the game but they have something to build on for the remainder of the group stage having played what is considered to be their toughest fixture in the group.

Senegal missed Sadio Mane and nothing but a win will be good enough for them in their next match against Qatar.