At the Euro 2024, the Netherlands defeated Poland by a score of 2-1 thanks to a late goal scored by Wout Weghorst.
During the 2022 World Cup, the 31-year-old player is infamous for scoring a goal in the 101st minute to tie the score against Argentina. However, his team ultimately lost the match during the penalty shootout.
On this particular occasion, Weghorst made his way onto the field from the substitutes’ bench to secure a victory that was well-deserved for Ronald Koeman’s team, who were nearly forced to accept the consequences of missed opportunities.
Prior to Cody Gakpo bringing the Netherlands to a tie just before the half-hour mark, Adam Buksa had earlier given Poland the lead against the run of play.
Following the failure of Poland to defeat the Netherlands for the thirteenth consecutive game, the Netherlands have taken early control of Group D. France is scheduled to play Austria on Monday, and the Netherlands have taken early leadership of the group. Poland is left up against it to rescue a position in the round of sixteen.
There were two opportunities for Oranje to take the lead in the first ten minutes of the game. First, Wojciech Szczesny made a brilliant save to prevent Gakpo from scoring, and then Tijjani Reijnders made a first-time effort from barely ten yards out, but it went wide of the target.
On the other hand, Buksa was the one who put Poland ahead in the game just after the quarter-hour mark. A corner kick that was swung inward found its way to the towering forward, who then hit a header that was expertly glanced inside the far post.
The response from the Netherlands was to continue to throw away opportunities. It was unfortunate for Virgil van Dijk, who had a shot that was beautifully blocked by Szczesny, but Memphis Depay ought to have at least struck the target rather than blazed over from inside the penalty area because he had the opportunity to score.
It was just before the half hour that they scored the equalizer that they deserved. Gakpo’s shot from twenty yards out would have been easily dealt with by Szczesny, but the ball deflected severely off Jan Bednarek and found its way into the middle of the goal instead.
In the minutes leading up to the halftime whistle, both Gakpo and Depay failed to capitalize on additional opportunities, as both of their attempts went wide of the target. Despite this, Poland managed to maintain a level playing field because to the fact that the Netherlands had 14 shots compared to their four.
Following the interval, the opportunities for the Netherlands continued to be a waste of time. Depay and Gakpo worked together to set up Xavi Simons, but he failed to hit the target with his shot from 12 yards out, which went wide of the near post.
Michal Probierz, the head coach of Poland, had made three substitutions by the 55-minute mark, which was a hint of his anxiety. The decision almost paid off, as Buksa was only prevented from scoring a second goal by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s sharp block.
The forward’s quick feet on the edge of the area teed up Denzel Dumfries, who flashed a strike that went narrowly wide of the far post. Koeman made his own adjustments, one of which was Donyell Malen.
In spite of the fact that the chances were not being generated with the same frequency as they were in the first half, the Netherlands had a chance to take the lead when Stefan de Vrij was given a free header inside the penalty area, but he failed to take advantage of it and send it flying over the crossbar.
When there were ten minutes left on the clock, Koeman decided to adopt a different tactic. He was hoping that Weghorst’s additional height would have an impact on the game, but it was Weghorst’s composure that allowed him to get on the scoresheet.
Nathan Ake waited for a moment before passing the ball inside to the former Manchester United player, who put the ball inside the near post from ten yards out. The goal was scored by the former Manchester United player.
Poland made a commendable effort to equalize the score, and Verbruggen made a remarkable stop to prevent Karol Swiderski from scoring. However, the late attack did not pay off, and the Netherlands were able to secure the three points that their performance deserved.
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