[Source: Reuters]
Netherlands scored twice in the final minutes through Cody Gakpo and substitute Davy Klaassen to beat Senegal 2-0 in their World Cup Group A match at Al Thumama Stadium this morning.
The Dutch, who missed out on the 2018 World Cup, looked to be heading for a scrappy goalless draw after wasting several good chances but man-of-the-match Gakpo beat keeper Edouard Mendy and nod in a deep Frenkie De Jong cross with the back of his head.
Klaassen then pounced on a weak Mendy save to score on the rebound nine minutes into stoppage time.
💬“It’s lucky we won this game.”@Budweiser Player of the Match Cody Gakpo is keeping his feet on the floor after helping Netherlands get their #FIFAWorldCup campaign off to a winning start 🇳🇱 @budfootball #YoursToTake #BudweiserWorldCup #POTM pic.twitter.com/dkkIw4J8Vg
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 21, 2022
The Dutch join Ecuador, 2-0 winners over Qatar on Sunday, on three points at the top of the group and the top two meet on Friday.
The 23-year-old Gakpo, who has now scored three goals in his last four internationals, had their first opportunity after four minutes but tried to square the ball to Steven Bergwijn instead of going for goal.
That was followed by a Daley Blind header at the far post that flew wide before Steven Berghuis sent Bergwijn through and he laid it off for the unmarked De Jong in the box.
The midfielder took far too long to release the ball, however, and his effort was blocked.
The African champions were badly missing injured talisman Sadio Mane and did not manage a shot on target until the 65th minute when Boulaye Dia’s tried to sneak one past goalkeeper Andries Noppert, making his Dutch debut, from a tight angle.
🇳🇱 The @OnsOranje are up and running#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/pee2dYSB15
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 21, 2022
