DOHA: Second half goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen ensured 2-0 win for the Netherlands against Senegal at Al Thumama Stadium as Senegal was left to rue missed chances.
The Netherlands returned to the world’s biggest stage after they failed to qualify in 2018, but they come in on a 15-game unbeaten run and are the favorite to win Group A.
Cody Gakpo opted to square the ball to Steven Bergwijn instead of taking a shot when he was in front of goal early in the game and Frenkie De Jong took too many touches and wasted a good opportunity to score after Bergwijn had set him up.
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Cheikhou Kouyaté is forced to be subbed after he suffered a tough injury, and this is another important miss for Senegal especially after Sadio Mane was forced to miss the tournament. Looks like he will be out for a couple of weeks.
Coady Gakpo finally broke the deadlock for Netherlands. A poor bit of goalkeeping from Eduard Mendy. He went out to punch the ball and completely missed it. Gakpo, however, made sure he hit the header on target. It was also Netherlands’ first shot on target.
Late in the injury time, the Senegal keeper fumbled an attempt by Memphis Depay and Davy Klaassen was in the right place to sweep home his side’s second.
Senegal has really missed Sadio Mane. The African champions has lacked cutting edge up front.
Moreover, at 71 years and 105 days, Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal became the third oldest manager to take charge of a match at the World Cup, after Otto Rehhagel (71y 317d) and Oscar Tabarez (71y 125d).
