The Netherlands struggles to win against stiff Senegalese, Gakpo and Klaassen ensure liberation

Key moment: the first goal, of course. The technically skilled Cody Gakpo doesn’t often score header goals, but he proved at the ideal moment that he can do it.

Man of the match: Andrew Noppert. In his very first international match for the Orange, the goalkeeper remained upright. De Fries thus proved his trainer right.

We will also remember him: Cheikhou Kouyate. Unfortunately. Our thoughts are with him, because the former Anderlecht midfielder was injured and may have to go home already.

Ten debutants and Daley Blind, that’s how you could describe the Dutch national team against Senegal. Because we almost forgot, but Orange was not there in 2018. Even the experienced Virgil van Dijk acted like this for the first time on the World Cup stage. And Andries Noppert, of course. The goalkeeper who did not yet have a single cap to his name, but was thrown to the lions by Louis van Gaal. “Because he usually stops balls”, was the dry explanation of the national coach beforehand.

Before the break, however, Noppert did not have to stop anything. We scored one shot from right back Sabaly. A pick-up that would not cause even Truus – Mrs Van Gaal – any problems. It was an uninteresting first half that we got to see. One from which our northern neighbors undoubtedly expected more. They did not give away many chances, but the defense – especially De Ligt – did not look confident. And the build-up was too slow to worry the Senegalese.

After four minutes they put their best combination on the mat. De Jong conceded well to Gakpo, who looked for Bergwijn in front of goal, but just didn’t find it. De Jong was later cleared for goal himself, but delayed too long to finish. And Berghuis kicked again after passing Antwerp striker Vincent Janssen. That was about it. Koulibaly (ex-Genk) and co. stood upright smoothly. After the break – although without star player Mané, who has gone home – they still claimed the victory.

Depay anyway

With the Netherlands, the question was how long Van Gaal would wait to bring Memphis Depay. The answer: a good quarter of an hour. Then the star – good for 42 goals in 81 international matches – came to relieve the fairly invisible Janssen. After all, little was still prepared in the front, except for a header from Van Dijk on a corner – over Mendy’s cage.

Even though the change didn’t help much at first. Senegal smelled his chance and Dia lashed out again on a pass from Diatta (ex-Club Brugge). Noppert, however, stood firm, also on a shot from (Idrissa) Gueye.

What followed was a downer for the African country, because after Mane it now also saw Cheikhou Kouyaté drop out. The experienced midfielder, who we know from Anderlecht but who is currently enjoying good weather at Nottingham Forest, sustained an injury and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. His World Cup may already be over. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but one more consolation: his team-makers seemed to hold on.

Laymen… Because in the final phase, the Orange still took the win. De Jong sent a cross from the left and Cody Gakpo, the 23-year-old attacker of PSV, nodded in just before Mendy’s nose. Senegal did not recover from that 0-1. (Pape) Gueye tried from a distance, but came across… Noppert. “He usually stops balls,” remember? Seems right. In the absolute final seconds – we played another eight minutes – substitute Davy Klaassen also made it 0-2. To be absolutely sure.

Senegal: E. Mendy, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Cisse, Diallo (62′ Jacobs), Kouyaté (72′ P. Gueye), I. Gueye, N. Mendy, Diatta (73′ Jackson), Dia (69′ Dieng), I. Sarr

The Netherlands: Noppert, Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Aké, Blind, F. de Jong, Berghuis (79′ Koopmeiners), Gakpo, Bergwijn (79′ Klaassen), Janssen (62′ Depay)

goals: 84′ Gakpo 0-1, 90′ Klaassen 0-2

Yellow card: 56′ De Ligt, 90′ N. Mendy, 90′ I. Gueye