(Football news) Late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen helped the Dutch secure a 2-0 victory over opponents Senegal in Group A. Netherlands were dominant in the first half but were wasteful in the first half at the Al Thumama Stadium, lacking any kind of threat for much of the second half until Cody Gakpo stepped up and nodded in a deep cross on 85th minute mark. Klassen then went on to add a second in the final minute of the match to ensure that Louis van Gaal's side enjoyed a positive start to their tournament.
Netherlands were playing their first World Cup match since 2014 after they failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Senegal, who won the Africa Cup of Nations went to Qatar with very high expectations but the team suffered a major blow last week when star player Sadio Mane was out of the World Cup with a leg injury and his absence really made the difference as it showed in the Senegal team. Netherlands dominated the first-half and were putting a lot of pressure on the Senegal defence but were poor in front of goal. The Dutch side wasted a glorious opportunity to take the lead six minutes into the game as Gakpo squared the ball to Steven Bergwijn, whose attempt was blocked.
In the 18th minute, Frenkie de Jong found himself in a lot of space as he just had to beat Edouard Mendy but he took too long to get the shot away and the move broke down. Meanwhile, Senegal looked pedestrian in attack as they badly missed the attacking threat of Mane. Netherlands in the second half sat back while Senegal enjoyed a pair of promising opportunities but the Dutch had to thank their goalkeeper Andries Noppert who was subsequently making his international debut as he was forced to make saves from Idrissa Gueye and Ismaila Sarr. But the Dutch found their clinical touch late in the match, Gakpo broke the deadlock when he brilliantly met an inch perfect cross from De Jong and headed them into a much deserved lead.
Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio added eight minutes at the end of 90 minutes and Netherlands used it well as Memphis Depay's curling shot forced Mendy to parry the shot straight to Klaassen, who easily completed a comfortable tap-in. Netherlands now share the top spot in Group A with Ecuador while Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk refused to wear the OneLove anti-discrimination armband, with FIFA threatening to impose a yellow card for any player seen wearing it before even the match begins.
When asked after the match what he made of the issue, Van Gaal said: "I no longer want to answer political questions. This is the time to talk about football and not political issues. One thing is clear — we are not going to wear the armband if we're getting a yellow card. I think we need to question whether this a correct action on the part of FIFA and you can answer that question.
"Virgil van Dijk after one match is to be given a yellow card! We are here to become World Champions and that is our purpose, which is why we're not wearing the armband. All of us need to ask ourselves whether this is a proper action on the part of FIFA — that is crystal clear."
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