World Cup: Netherlands pay well against Senegal

How hard it was. The Oraniers stumbled for a long time in Senegal before they managed to win the case on Monday at Doha’s Al Tumama Stadium. Thus, the first big poster of the World turned in favor of the Dutch, who won with a score of 2:0. A great end-of-match goal by Gakpo (0-1, 84th), then another Klaassen in stoppage time (0-2, 90th + 9) and the Netherlands conveniently won their very first ever showdown against Senegal, in all competitions.

Having failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia, the Oranges also perpetuated their good habit of never losing their first World Cup match. In Group A, which also includes Qatar and Ecuador, the Netherlands, thanks to this success, have already made a good option for one of the two qualifying places in the 1/8 finals. Of course, if Senegal does not miss a single chance.

The success of Van Gaal’s team is fully justified, given the first hour of the game, tense and slightly in favor of the Dutch, but nevertheless balanced. Paradoxically, the Netherlands’ first goal came as Senegal appeared to be close to breaking the opponent’s lock.

In the first period, the “orange” really were the sharpest. In a counterattack, Berguis found De Jong in the center from the right side, but he hesitated and could not shoot (19th). Then the same Berguis fired a half-volley shot from the left, but well above the Mendy crossbar (40th place).

With the loss of their star striker Sadio Mane, Senegal is relying on Boulaye Dia and Ismaila Sarra to rock the opposition’s goal. On the left, the last one rolled a shot, on the right, Van Dijk blocked, and the ball seemed to go on its way to the net (25th).

In the second half, the debate remained even. However, if the Netherlands continued to threaten, Aliou Cisse’s players were more assertive in their intentions, notably parrying a shot by Guye (58th) and an instant shot from Dia, deflected by Noppert (65th). Thus, it was in the midst of the pressure of the Lions that the Netherlands managed to find a mistake. On a canopy by Frenkie de Jong, Gapko beat Mendy in the air faster than the Senegalese defenders and scored the first goal (1:0, 84th). And if Cisse’s wards did everything to level the score, then already in extra time Klaassen doubled the advantage, having received a blow from Depay, thrown back by Mendy (90 + 9).