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
35 mins: A penny for Van Gaal’s thoughts after a slightly tense first half an hour.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
33 mins: Netherlands win another free kick on the right, just outside the box. This is where they had their last.
This time Gakpo does curl it in, and Mendy comes some way to try to punch it clear! Between him and his defenders, they’re able to deal with it.
They also hang onto the ball, with Diallo in possession on the left. He slings a pass up the line, and Van Dijk takes no chances, passing it out for a Senegal throw-in as he’s outnumbered deep in his own half.
Senegal move the ball across to Sabaly on the right, but his low shot is tame and gathered easily by Noppert.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
29 mins: Senegal are back on the ball, looking to carve an opening on the right.
They lose the ball, but De Jong ends up in possession on the byline with nowhere to go.
He’s too casual as he passes it out to Van Dijk, who is facing away from goal on the edge of his box and has no idea the ball is coming to him!
He must get a shout, as he realises at the last moment and turns, getting a foot to the ball and preventing any further danger!
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
27 mins: Dumfries’ cross is blocked at the source and goes out for a Netherlands corner on the right.
Gakpo will take it...
Van Dijk rises to meet it, but he can only head the ball harmlessly wide of Mendy’s goal.
He created sufficient space to do better with that effort and is clearly frustrated at himself for getting the angle wrong.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
25 mins: Sarr has the ball out left. He shimmies onto his right foot and whips a shot towards the back post, but Van Dijk stands up to it and heads it out for a Senegal corner!
That looked dangerouus for a moment. Netherlands deal with the subsequent set piece, and hold on to the ball for now.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
23 mins: Berghuis is dispossessed by Diallo deep on Senegal’s left flank, after a couple of crunching challenges in the moments prior.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
22 mins: Gapko feints, with Berghuis then whipping in a left-footed delivery, which is headed away.
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
22 mins: Netherlands win a free kick on the right, just outside the Senegal box...
Senegal 0-0 Netherlands
19 mins: Wasted chance by De Jong!!
A lovely turn and through ball from Bergwijn on the right sets up Janssen, who ghosts through the Senegal back line and slides a pass across the box...
De Jong receives it in acres of space, cuts back onto his right foot, but he overthinks it as Senegal defenders retreat and loses the opportunity.
Senegal clear it!
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