Netherlands edge past Poland with late Weghorst winner

The Netherlands took home the full three points on Sunday, scraping past a resilient Poland side 2-1 to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign. Super-sub Wout Weghorst made the difference to complete a sensational come-from-behind victory.

Poland entered the game without star striker Robert Lewandowski, who suffered a thigh injury in one of their pre-Euro friendlies. The Dutch, down Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, were also missing Ajax winger Brian Brobbey to a hamstring injury

Poland started the game with a bang. Star midfielder Piotr Zieliński lofted a well-hit corner to striker Adam Buksa in the 15th minute, who powered a header past Dutch stopper Bart Verbruggen. The Netherlands faced the tall task of breaking down Poland’s low block, with Poland committed to getting at least a point from the match.

The Netherlands struck back through Cody Gakpo. Nathan Aké won a ball out of the air and laid it off to the winger. Gakpo then cut inside and fired a low shot, which took a heavy deflection from Bartosz Salamon. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had already dove for the seemingly easy save, couldn’t get to the ball in time.

Netherlands struggles for winner against Poland

The Netherlands struggled to find a winner after, and the frustration was evident on the players’ faces. Despite generating 21 shots, the Dutch only steered four shots on target. There was a rift between the Netherlands’ offensive stars, with Memphis Depay, Donyell Malen, and Denzel Dumfries arguing after missed chances.

Gakpo had a huge chance to give the Dutch its first lead of the afternoon after he found himself on the receiving end of an Aké cutback with only the keeper to beat. But, the Liverpool star blasted his shot well over the bar.

Arsenal fullback Jakub Kiwior nearly scored Poland’s second in the 58th minute. After receiving the ball in the box, Kiwior blasted a shot to Verbruggen’s left. The shot took a huge deflection on its way to the goal,…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/euro-2024/netherlands-edge-past-poland-with-late-weghorst-winner/

Author : Deolu Akingbade

Publish date : 2024-06-16 17:57:45

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.