Senegal vs Netherlands World Cup 2022 LIVE: Result, score and reaction as Dutch snatch late win
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands: Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen’s finishes gave the Dutch victory after a largely dour encounter in Group A
The Netherlands seized the advantage in World Cup Group A as goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen sealed a 2-0 win over African champions Senegal on Monday.
The Lions of Teranga are missing their talisman, Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane, at this tournament and though they battled hard, could not find a way past the debutant Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert. The win puts the Oranje, three times World Cup finalists, in a strong position in the group, with matches against Ecuador and hosts Qatar to come.
A disappointing match at Al Thumama Stadium was played in front of plenty of empty seats, despite organisers’ claims that the country is gripped by World Cup fever. However, the attendance was given as 41,721 – more than the stadium is actually listed to hold.
The goal the Dutch craved finally arrived with six minutes of normal time to go, as Frenkie de Jong swung in a ball from the left and Gakpo beat Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to it to head home. It was no less than the PSV Eindhoven man deserved after an impressive performance. Substitute Pape Gueye almost responded instantly for Senegal, but again Noppert got down well to a low shot. Eight minutes of injury time were added, and the Dutch sealed victory in the final seconds when Mendy spilled a shot from Memphis Depay and fellow substitute Klaassen followed up to slot home the rebound.
Relive all the action from Qatar with our live blog below:
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
73 mins: Offside against Senegal, but Noppert with another decent save!
It’s a hard and central shot from Gueye from the edge of the box, and the Dutch goalkeeper palms the ball away from danger.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
71 mins: An awkward landing for Kouyate after he challenges for an aerial ball, and the Senegal and Nottingham Forest midfielder stays down...
For the second time today, Senegal are forced into a substitution; Kouyate leaves on a stretcher.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
70 mins: This game is crying out for a moment of quality, as the cliche goes.
Can Depay be the one to provide it?
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
68 mins: Another change for Senegal as Bamba Dieng replaces Dia up top.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
67 mins: Koulibaly storms out from the back for Senegal, but his team soon lose possession as the Chelsea centre back retreats.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
65 mins: Chance for Senegal!
They win the ball in the middle of the pitch and work it up to Dia, whose right-footed shot from inside the Netherlands box is saved by Noppert at his near post!
The goalkeeper, making his international debut, does well to get down low to his left and palm the ball out for a Senegal corner, which ultimately amounts to nothing.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
64 mins: Depay has been struggling with injury in recent months. How sharp will he be here? Well, we’ll find out over the next half an hour if he can be the difference-maker for Netherlands.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
62 mins: Gakpo’s corner is headed up into the air once it reaches the centre of the Senegal box, and goalkeeper Mendy is first to the second ball, leaping to punch it away.
Janssen is now replaced by Memphis Depay, who was Netherlands’ leading scorer in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, Diallo is indeed too injured to continue, and he’s replaced by Ismail Jakobs.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
60 mins: Berghuis gets a bit of space outside the Senegal box and drills a shot low...
It’s deflected out for a Netherlands corner.
Gakpo will take, but not before a few of the Senegal players join the referee in checking on Diallo, who is down injured.
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