Senegal vs Netherlands World Cup 2022 LIVE: Result, score and reaction as Dutch snatch late win
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands: Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen’s finishes gave the Dutch victory after a largely dour encounter in Group A
The Netherlands seized the advantage in World Cup Group A as goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen sealed a 2-0 win over African champions Senegal on Monday.
The Lions of Teranga are missing their talisman, Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane, at this tournament and though they battled hard, could not find a way past the debutant Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert. The win puts the Oranje, three times World Cup finalists, in a strong position in the group, with matches against Ecuador and hosts Qatar to come.
A disappointing match at Al Thumama Stadium was played in front of plenty of empty seats, despite organisers’ claims that the country is gripped by World Cup fever. However, the attendance was given as 41,721 – more than the stadium is actually listed to hold.
The goal the Dutch craved finally arrived with six minutes of normal time to go, as Frenkie de Jong swung in a ball from the left and Gakpo beat Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to it to head home. It was no less than the PSV Eindhoven man deserved after an impressive performance. Substitute Pape Gueye almost responded instantly for Senegal, but again Noppert got down well to a low shot. Eight minutes of injury time were added, and the Dutch sealed victory in the final seconds when Mendy spilled a shot from Memphis Depay and fellow substitute Klaassen followed up to slot home the rebound.
Relive all the action from Qatar with our live blog below:
Senegal vs Netherlands
Senegal XI: E Mendy, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, N Mendy, Kouyate, Gueye, Cisse, Diatta, Sarr, Dia.
Senegal vs Netherlands
Netherlands XI: Noppert, Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake, Blind, De Jong, Berghuis, Gakpo, Janssen, Bergwijn.
Senegal vs Netherlands
And here is a player who may be vital for Senegal, especially in the absence of the injured Sadio Mane:
Breakout talent – Boulaye Dia: Senegal will have one of the older squads and starting line-ups in Qatar - the team that began the Africa Cup of Nations final had an average age of 30 - while Aliou Cisse’s side also have an overeliance on Mane for goals. However the 25-year-old striker Dia can help solve both of those potential issues at the World Cup. A scorer in the Champions League semi-finals for Villarreal last season, Dia only has three goals for his country but will likely lead the line for the Lions. If he finds form it will be both a boost to Senegal and Dia’s burgeoning career.
Senegal World Cup squad guide, fixtures and ones to watch
Senegal vs Netherlands
Here’s a look at a couple of the Netherlands’ key players...
Star – Virgil van Djik: An ACL injury cruelly denied the Liverpool defender his first appearance at a major tournament when he missed Euro 2020, and he will relish the opportunity of playing in Qatar. He remains one of the world’s top defenders, returning to his best last season, and although there have been question marks this campaign - the presence of the colossus helps bring certainty and assurance to the side that was missing at the Euros.
Breakout talent – Cody Gakpo: Manchester United sniffed around the PSV winger this summer and their interest was mirrorer by a host of other Premier League sides. Homegrown talent rarely stays in the Eredivisie for long and the 23-year-old certainty seems to be the next one off the block. A tall, rangy forward who looks to cut inside onto his right foot and is not shy of shooting at goal, he is among the top goalscorers in Europe this season.
Netherlands World Cup 2022 squad guide, fixtures and ones to watch
Senegal vs Netherlands
The second World Cup 2022 game in Group A sees African champions Senegal face off against the Netherlands in a clash that could determine the eventual fate of the group. Both sides are tipped to make it into the knockouts, ahead of Ecuador and hosts Qatar, so today’s encounter may decide who finishes top.
Netherlands are fancied by some to go the distance at the which would cap a remarkable turnaround for the Oranje after they failed to even qualify four years ago with coach Louis van Gaal hoping for his side to dominate the group to put themselves into a good position to start the knockout rounds.
Prior to their absence at Russia 2018 they had reached the semi-finals and finals in the previous two World Cups, so there is an expectation and optimism in the country that they can return to prominence this time around.
Menawhile, Senegal come into the World Cup on the back of gut-punching news that Sadio Mane is out injured and will miss the tournament. He was a vital part of their qualifying campaign and scored the goals to both win them the Afcon and qualify for Qatar. The Lions of Teranga will now have to rely on Chelsea duo Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly who will play pivotal roles if the African nation are to reach the last 16.
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