Netherlands survived an early scare to defeat Poland 2-1 in Hamburg within the opening sport of Group D at Euro 2024 as former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst got here off the bench to attain a late winner.
Robert Lewandowski was absent for the Poles resulting from a hamstring damage, however his alternative Adam Buksa crammed the void to look Michal Probierz’s facet in entrance (16) from Piotr Zielinski’s nook.
Netherlands, who had already missed good probabilities by way of Tijjani Reijnders and Xavi Simons, must have levelled when Memphis Depay lifted his shot over the bar six minutes later – however they restored parity when Cody Gakpo’s deflected shot wrong-footed Wojciech Szczesny (29).
It was the primary of 5 makes an attempt Gakpo had within the first half throughout a wasteful efficiency – the joint-most on document (since 1980) for a Dutch participant within the first half of a match on the Euros.
Poland wanted the interval, however they confirmed extra attacking intent upon the restart as Jakub Kiwior’s shot took a nick off Nathan Ake and compelled Bart Verbruggen to make the save, earlier than Piotr Zielinski’s try from 20 yards introduced one other good cease from the Dutch goalkeeper.
This was a spirited Polish crew however after Denzel Dumfries swept one other try broad of the far publish, it was substitute Weghorst – nonetheless a Burnley participant – who scored the winner inside 5 minutes of coming off the bench, latching onto a intelligent by way of ball from Ake to information house his seventh purpose in his final 11 appearances for the Oranje.
Bartosz Salamon fights for the ball with Memphis Depay
Poland refused to surrender as substitute Karol Swiderski almost levelled when he met Jakub Piotrowski’s cross to fireside low in direction of the close to publish and have Verbruggen at full stretch earlier than Piotrowski’s follow-up was blazed into the side-netting.
The end result means the Netherlands prime the group forward of France dealing with Austria within the different match from the opening gameweek in Düsseldorf on Monday.
Koeman is aware of Dutch should play higher to prime group
Adam Buska celebrates after heading Poland in entrance in opposition to the Netherlands
Sky Sports activities’ Ben Grounds:
“This was not the most convincing of victories but an important one for the Dutch. They had to be patient here in Hamburg but the relief was etched all over Ronald Koeman’s face following Weghorst’s late intervention. The Netherlands lost twice to Group D counterparts France in qualifying so there is very little margin for error.
“That they had entered the match with six wins in seven matches and 21 targets scored throughout that interval – they usually confirmed a high quality response to Buksa’s opener and actually must have sealed this victory lengthy earlier than the person nonetheless on Burnley’s books did.
Memphis Depay beats Nicola Zalewski to the ball
“Koeman knows his side must play a lot better to top the group. His men dictated possession only for Poland to go close when Nicola Zalewski had a header saved by Brighton’s Verbruggen.
“That mentioned, the Dutch have a supervisor who’s able to making tactical alterations that may determine video games as he turned to his bench for Weghorst to offer the reply when he rifled house Ake’s low ball into the world simply two minutes after approaching.
“We still we await our first draw, and in truth we still await our first surprise of the tournament. It’s going to form so far. A brave defeat for Poland.”
Gakpo: Now we have to be extra medical
Cody Gakpo scores the Netherlands’ equaliser in opposition to Poland
Netherlands‘ ahead Cody Gakpo:
“It was a tough match, a tough opponent. They scored first, so it was a little bit more difficult, but we created a lot of good opportunities, good chances. We have to be more clinical. Overall, we performed pretty well.
“Now we have to analyse the sport and see the place we might harm them extra after which take that to the following one.
“I think it’s a strength of our team that, even though for some it’s the first time, they [the younger players] performed well.”
Stats: Story of the match
Dutch delight – Opta stats
Wojciech Szczesny makes an early save to disclaim the Dutch
- Cody Gakpo has scored in all 4 of his group stage begins for the Netherlands at main tournaments (4 targets on the World Cup/EUROs), whereas he is now scored in his first begin at each the World Cup and European Championships.
- Wout Weghorst scored the quickest purpose by a Netherlands substitute on the European Championships, netting the successful purpose of the sport simply two minutes and 18 seconds after coming off the bench.
- Netherlands had 21 photographs in opposition to Poland – their most in a sport at a significant match (World Cup/EUROs) since 2012 in opposition to Denmark (32).
- Since dropping all three video games at EURO 2012, Netherlands have gone unbeaten in 10 straight group stage video games at main tournaments (World Cup/EUROs), successful 9 of these (D1).
