Doha: Netherlands scored late goals to start their FIFA World Cup campaign on a winning note, outclassing Senegal 2-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium yesterday.
The Louis van Gaal’s side went ahead after an 84th minute header by PSV star Cody Gakpo. Substitute Davy Klaassen sealed the victory for the Dutch in the final minute of injury time in front of 41,721 spectators.
After blanking the African champions, the three-time finalists look set to win Group A with lower-ranked Ecuador and Qatar up next for them in the group stage.
Aliou Cisse’s Senegal started well but they lacked the cutting edge as they clearly missed injured Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane, who was ruled out of the World Cup last week.
Gakpo scored from the edge of the six-yard box after connecting a cross from Frenkie De Jong to break the deadlock. The PSV Eindhoven forward made a brilliantly timed run to get in behind the defence and put the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who should have done better.
Senegal could have equalised but the Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert – making his international debut – thwarted an attempt by 75th-minute substitute Papa Gueye.
Just before the final whistle, Klaassen was in a right place to score after Mendy parried an attempt by substitute Memphis Depay, who was supposed to miss the match.
“At times we may have been too rushed and tried to force things,” Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk told reporters after the win. “But in the end Cody did it very well.
“In midfield, however, if you lose possession it is open and they (Senegal) can be dangerous with their speed. That has to be better because Ecuador also have the speed that can hurt you on the counter.
“We will have to work on that, but it can only get better from here. That’s how it feels,” said the defender.
After the loss, the Teranga Lions may face a stiff competition from Ecuador in the race for Round of 16 after the La Tri got off to a fiery start with a dominating 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar in the opening match on Sunday.
Overall Cisse’s side created more chances than the Netherlands but poor finishing and defensive mistakes cost the West Africans at least a draw. Watford winger Ismaila Sarr’s first half performance was perhaps the best show from the Africans, who were supported well by their fans.
Coming high on confidence after their recent performances, both teams played a pulsating first half with not much separating the two top-ranked teams of the group.
Senegal got off to a spirited start winning a corner in the first minute of the match after Boulaye Dia’s shot from Sarr’s pass was blocked by De Jong.
Netherlands, fresh from their impressive Nations League performance and wins over Belgium, responded and should have scored their first goal early in the match but Steven Bergwijn failed to collect Gakpo’s cross into Senegal penalty area.
Both the sides were exchanging attacks with the game picking up pace after every minute in beginning of the first half.
Bergwijn created a golden opportunity for De Jong but he was late in his attempt as Senegal defence was able to clear the ball.
Netherlands went to the breather with a slight edge, with Senegal’s Sarr giving a tough time to the Dutch defence.
The three-time finalists started the second half strongly creating good opportunities, and Van Dijk should have scored off a corner but his header sailed over the bar.
Senegal suffered a setback when Cheikhou Kouyate was stretchered off after an injury following an aerial challenge.
The Dutch will now take on Ecuador on Friday while Senegal will meet hosts Qatar the same day.
