Louis van Gaal was unable to win on his return as national coach of Orange. The Netherlands got stuck on a 1-1 draw in Norway. Haaland and Klaassen scored before half time, after half time both teams disappointed.
1-1 after exciting first half
Norway-Netherlands was previously dominated by the return of Louis van Gaal as national coach. It was therefore a matter of watching in which formation and with which players the Orange would enter the Norwegian field.
Van Gaal gave young Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow his debut in goal and in his classic 4-3-3 he also had room for Timber and Gakpo, who kept Dumfries and Malen on the bench. Norway’s hopes rested on the shoulders of wonder duo Haaland-Ødegaard.
The Netherlands started energetically and showed themselves early through Timber and Gakpo, but Norway eagerly made use of the space that the offensive Orange left behind. After twenty minutes, Haaland plucked a wonderful ball from the sky and left Bijlow without a chance: 1-0.
The Orange squad had to work hard and fifteen minutes later came alongside again: Berghuis and Wijnaldum set up a good attack, Klaassen had to tap in at the penalty point. The Netherlands had possession of the ball and pushed through, but a second goal before half-time did not fall.
1-1 after boring second half
Then after the break, they hoped for Orange, but they were disappointed. An uninspired Netherlands sought, but did not find the openings. Defensively it looked shaky and in the front the last pass never came through.
In minute 64, the Orange even escaped the 2-1, when Haaland kicked the ball wonderfully on the post. Donyell Malen, who had come in at halftime, came close to the Norwegian cage with a low slide, but he couldn’t score anymore.
So no victory for Louis van Gaal on his return as Dutch national coach. Orange thus fails to flush the great European Championship disappointment. The pressure on the upcoming matches, against Montenegro and Turkey, is therefore increasing again.
The handsome 1-0 from Haaland:
