Netherlands 2-0 Senegal: Gakpo and Klaassen score late as Netherlands begin their WC campaign with a 2-0 nervy win over Senegal on Monday.
The score-line did not show justice to the good performance from Senegal but the late strikes ensured a victory for the Dutch on return after 8 years.
FIRST HALF
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The first half did not see much in terms of goalmouth action as they were few half-chances. Senegal was the better side with more depth and penetration, finding spaces despite the absence of Sadio Mané. Ismaila Sarr was Senegal’s most dangerous offensive player by creating 2 chances.
Netherlands had a massive chance to take the lead in the first half through De Jong, but he took far too many chances before being dispossessed.
Senegal fans are having fun 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/gn1utycp3G
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 21, 2022
SECOND HALF
In the second half, the Senegal side picked up the tempo and managed to get two crucial saves by Noppert.
However, a goalkeeper error by Mendy led to the Dutch finding the opener through Gakpo. It was a blur of youthful Oranje as he headed home from De Jong’s peach of a ball to send Dutch fans into ecstasy.
Klaassen settled the game with his strike late in extra time to ensure a 2-0 win and three important points for them.
98:17 – Davy Klaassen’s goal after 98:17 is the second latest World Cup goal on record (since 1966) excluding extra time, after Mehdi Taremi’s goal earlier today (102:30). Climax. pic.twitter.com/VkzgzaNupr
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 21, 2022
Mendy parried Depay’s strike into the path of Klaassen, who slotted into the empty net to ensure the win.