The second World Cup match for the Dutch national team has ended in a draw. The Dutch started well with a quick goal from Cody Gakpo on a pass from Davy Klaassen. In the second half, Enner Valencia scored 1-1, which was also the final score. Due to the draw, the Orange has not yet qualified for the knockout phase.
Compared to the first group match won, national coach Louis van Gaal made three changes. As a result, there were four Ajax players in the Dutch base. Jurriën Timber, Teun Koopmeiners and Davy Klaassen were allowed to kick off. That was at the expense of former Ajax player Matthijs de Ligt, Ajax player Steven Berghuis and former AZ player Vincent Janssen. The first big chance of the Dutch national team immediately hit the net. PSV player Cody Gakpo scored the opening goal, just like against Senegal.
The attacker shot the ball hard with the left behind Hernán Galíndez after an assist from Klaassen: 1-0. After the Dutch goal, Ecuador pressed more. That eventually led to an opportunity for Enner Valencia. The scorer of two goals in the opening game forced Andries Noppert, who was again on target, to make a save. Just before half-time, Pervis Estupiñán thought he could make it 1-1, but his goal was disallowed due to Jackson Porozo’s offside.
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Orange is good
Memphis Depay came straight into the field after the break. That was at the expense of Amsterdammer Steven Bergwijn. The Ajax player saw from the bench that Ecuador quickly came to 1-1. Estupiñán’s first bet was turned by Noppert, but Valencia’s rebound was too powerful for him. After this, things went from bad to worse for the Orange, which got away well twice. First a shot from Valencia was blocked and then Gonzalo Plata shot hard against the crossbar.
It remained unusually exciting for the Orange until deep into the six-minute stoppage time. With a win, the Netherlands had already qualified for the next round. Those plans can be put on ice for the time being after the draw.
Lineup Netherlands: Noppert; Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Blind; Koopmeiners (De Roon/80), F. De Jong, Klaassen (Berghuis/69); Gakpo (Weghorst/80), Bergwijn (Depay/46)