A stuttering start with a happy ending: after a long and shaky and uninspired performance, Cody Gakpo led the Netherlands to victory over the brave Senegal lions late in the game.
The 23-year-old from PSV Eindhoven scored the lead in the 84th minute and broke the ban – in the end it was even 2-0 (0-0).
Ex-Bremer Davy Klaassen (90+9) increased late in injury time. Previously, debutant Andries Noppert had saved Elftal from falling behind against the African champions, who posed problems for the World Cup favorites even without Bayern star Sadio Mane.
Sadio Mané with a motivational message from sick leave
On their return to the World Cup stage, the Dutch had missed the tournament in Russia 2018 as well as the EM 2016, they still face Ecuador and the weak host Qatar in the preliminary round.
Anything other than first place in Group A would be a disappointment. “We have more quality than in 2014 when we finished third. We can become world champions,” said van Gaal.
The 71-year-old started the mission with Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt in the back three next to captain Virgil van Dijk, behind him he surprisingly put on Noppert in goal, at 2.03 m the tallest of all World Cup players. The 28-year-old from SC Heerenveen received his first international match for the three-time World Cup runners-up, who so badly wants his first title.
The giant in the box had to be careful at first in the 41,721 spectators at Al Thumama Stadium, because even without Mane, Senegal played confidently forward – driven by rhythmic drums and trumpets. The newly operated Mane had announced from sick leave that his “teammates will fight together to honor our country”.
Netherlands breaks the ban late
The Netherlands countered the fighting spirit and pace with their collective. The “group of friends” (de Ligt) lacked the usual sovereignty at the beginning, but they still had the first big opportunity: Steven Bergwijn (4th) narrowly missed after a pass from Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong (19th) hesitated too long .
Van Gaal, who took over Elftal in September 2021 despite his prostate cancer and is unbeaten in his third term, remained calm. While Senegal’s coach Aliou Cisse was barely in the coaching zone, van Gaal observed the sometimes erratic performance of his highly valued team with all his experience and calm.
He couldn’t be satisfied, de Ligt wobbled again and again against Mane replacement Ismaila Sarr, and van Dijk didn’t radiate calm either. Memphis Depay, who made his comeback after an hour from a thigh injury, was initially absent on the offensive. The focus then was Noppert, who quickly prevented Senegal’s lead from Boulaye Dia (65th).
Until the final phase, the Africans challenged the favorites – who then still struck: De Jong drew a cross dangerously into the six-yard box, Gakpo headed Edouard Mendy on the ball.