Ecuador is confident that they can harm the Netherlands as they attempt to advance significantly to the knockout rounds by pulling off another World Cup shock.
On Monday, Louis van Gaal’s team defeated Senegal 2-0, and on Sunday, Ecuador defeated the world cup hosts Qatar 2-0 in their Group A opener.
Senegal and Netherlands were tied at 0-0 as the game neared its conclusion, so Netherlands had to wait to see who would take home the victory against Senegal on Monday. However, Holland took the lead through Cody Gakpo in the game’s 84th minute, and Davy Klaassen sealed the victory in the ninth minute of extra period at the end of the 90, giving Van Gaal’s team the fantastic start to their Group A contest.
The Netherlands will play Ecuador on Friday before finishing their group phase against the hosts Qatar on Tuesday. Given how well Holland has performed in their last two World Cups, it will be interesting to see what this set of players can accomplish.
The national team, which has never won the Title, missed the finals in 2018, but they competed in 2010 and advanced to the championship game before placing third. In the tournament’s round of 16, if Van Gaal’s squad wins Group A, they will play either Iran, England, Wales, or the United States. However, Netherlands won’t be planning too far in advance at this point, especially before playing a talented Ecuador team that defeated the hosts in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday.
Enner Valencia scored twice against Qatar, first from the penalty spot inside the 16th minute and then adding another to make it 2-0 in the 31st. Valencia is a former West Ham United forward. In the tournament’s round of 16, if Van Gaal’s squad wins Group A, they will play either Iran, England, Wales, or the United States.
Ecuador, The Tricolor, participated in the 2014 World Cup but was eliminated after the group stage. Their best performance came in the 2006 World Cup when they advanced to the round of 16 but fell to England.
Due to Byron Castillo’s participation in the qualification games, Chile and Peru had filed appeals, casting some doubt on Ecuador’s ability to travel to Qatar. However, the Arbitration court for Sport did agree with FIFA and determined that the 23-year-old was qualified to represent his country.
With 26 points from 18 games and a fourth-place finish in the South American qualifying group, Ecuador earned a spot in the finals. With only one loss in their last seven qualifying games, including 1-1 draws with Brazil and Argentina, La Tri has been playing well lately. They will undoubtedly believe they can win this game again.
Netherlands Team News
Memphis Depay’s injury issues for Barcelona this season prevented him from being deemed fit to start for the Netherlands against Senegal, but he played the final 30 minutes of the match. The attacker, who has scored 42 goals for his country, could now start in place of Vincent Janssen, with Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn also expected to play in the final third of the field.
In a 3-5-2 formation, De Jong, Berghuis, and Dumfries all are anticipated to play, with Blind and Dumfries guarding the full-back positions. Prior to the match against Senegal, Marten de Roon was questionable with an injury. However, the midfielder came off the bench last time, and he is once again anticipated to play a part in the game.
Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Noppert; De Ligt, Virgil Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, Frankie de Jong, Berghuis, Daley Blind; Cody Gakpo; Memphis Depay, Bergwijn
Player to watch
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo, a star player for PSV, is the subject of rumours linking him to a transfer to the Premier League, and his tournament-opening goal scoring will only have doubled his admirers. In his last four matches for the Netherlands in all tournaments, he has contributed to four goals, which is two times as many as in his first 6 national team appearances.
Ecuador Team News
Valencia, the 33-year-old player for Ecuador, hurt his knee during the match with Qatar, but it is anticipated that he will be able to start this game. The medical staff will do everything possible to ensure that Valencia can play here. Valencia is the all-time leading scorer for the national team with 37 goals, and he has now scored five goals at World Cups.
One change could be made by head coach Alfaro from the lineup that faced Qatar, with Jeremy Sarmiento possibly replacing Michael Estrada in a different formation. However, because Arboleda, 31, is vying for a spot at the back, the manager will be thinking about him prior to kickoff on Friday.
Ecuador possible starting lineup:
Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan; Gonzalo Plata, Moises Caicedo, Mendez, Ibarra; Jeremy Sarmiento; Enner Valencia
Player to watch
Pervis Estupinan
Ecuador’s defence will likely serve as their best creative outlet. In CONMEBOL qualifying, left-back Estupinan produced the most chances and made more passes into the attacking third than just about any other player, leading to their convincing opening victory over Qatar.
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