During the World Cup opener for the Netherlands, defenders Cody Gakpo and Patrick Klaassen helped give the team a 2-1 victory over Senegal. Virgil van Dijk also scored. In fact, both of the goals were the first goals scored in the tournament for the Netherlands. This win gives the Netherlands a chance to finish in second place.
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk provided a clean sheet in the Netherlands’ World Cup opener against Senegal, which gave them the chance to go on and secure a place in the quarterfinals. The win also gave the Dutch a chance to claim the group title, and they will face Ecuador in their next match.
Senegal played an impressive game against the Dutch, but failed to make up for their missed opportunities. Their defenders showed some signs of disorganization, as they failed to keep their own players out of the opposition’s box. But, their offense was surprisingly good, with Senegal creating numerous deep crosses. The Dutch were also able to get four shots on target in 80 minutes, and one of them was the real standout.
Cody Gakpo provided the most memorable goal of the game, and it came off the back of an excellent set-piece. After launching a line-drive pass past the Senegal defence, Gakpo headed the ball past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to give the Netherlands the lead.
Nathan Ake
Despite a sluggish start, the Netherlands beat Senegal 2-0 to claim their first win of the World Cup. Cody Gakpo’s goal and a late injury tap-in from Davy Klaasen gave the Dutch the three points. In the process, the Netherlands moved into top spot of Group A.
Senegal, meanwhile, were unable to score for the first 80 minutes. They only had one shot on goal after the 83rd minute, and the Dutch managed to keep the score down until the last eight minutes.
Ismaila Sarr had the best chance of the first 10 minutes. He fired a powerful shot that Andries Noppert had to save. His second chance came after Idrissa Gueye failed to reach the ball. He drills a left-foot shot that Noppert saved.
Senegal tried to exploit the Dutch defence on the flanks. But the Dutch defence looked vulnerable at times. They lost the ball twenty-three times, and Denzel Dumfries had a dreadful long-ball performance.
Cody Gakpo
Despite an impressive first half, Senegal struggled to create chances and eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their Group A opener on Sunday. After a goalless first half, Netherlands took the lead when Cody Gakpo headed home a cross by Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch then sealed victory in stoppage time when Davy Klaassen tapped in a shot from Memphis Depay.
In the opening half, Netherlands enjoyed the upper hand in possession. Their pressure was consistent around the Senegal penalty area. It seemed to pay off after Gakpo scored the first goal in the 78th minute. He met Frenkie de Jong’s cross with a header that eluded Edouard Mendy.
After the break, Senegal pressed high and they had more possession, but they were unable to create clear cut chances. They kept the pressure on through Krepin Diatta and Bamba Dieng.
Senegal struggled to create end product after Cheikhou Kouyate was sent yalla shoot off in the first half. Senegal’s best chance came when Ismaila Sarr lined up a shot on the edge of the box. The Dutch keeper pulled off a great save to keep it out.
Krepin Diatta
Despite a solid opening half, Senegal failed to make an impression against Netherlands at the World Cup. Instead of scoring, they created a number of chances that went begging against Andries Noppert.
Senegal pushed the Dutch defense to the limit but failed to create enough chances. They were also without star player Sadio Mane. The African side also included Premier League players in their squad. Idrissa Gueye and Papar Sarr were included in their line-up, but they didn’t have enough chances to beat Noppert.
The African side also lost Abdou Diallo and Cheikhou Kouyate to injury. Kouyate was stretchered off in the 72nd minute with an apparent hamstring injury. Kouyate was replaced by Pape Gueye of Marseille.
In the first half, Senegal dominated the play, launching attacks through Ismaila Sarr. He drew four fouls, and created four chances. He had a half chance in the 65th minute, but Andries Noppert saved it at the near post.
