The group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is in full swing, and on the second matchday, Group A ushered in a highlight battle, with the uncrowned king Netherlands facing the Tranga Lions Senegal.
The Netherlands, which has stars such as De Jong, Depay and Van Dijk, has been on the defensive from the beginning, and although it has a certain advantage in possession on the scene, from the perspective of threatening the goal, it is the African champion Senegal who has repeatedly threatened the Dutch goal. If it weren't for goalkeeper Norbert's high block and low receivership, and two magical saves from the Senegalese player at close range, I am afraid that the Dutch side would not have been able to be so confident and dare to take the initiative to reduce speed and let Senegal take the initiative.
After half-time, the two sides were tied 0-0, De Jong missed a brilliant one-handed opportunity, Van Dijk's header was slightly deflected, and Boguis's volley from the top of the arc was dangerous; For Senegal, Ismaila Saar turned and shot just over the bar.
The Netherlands still maintained a tepid posture, and the threat to the goal can be seen from the shooting situation of both sides, Senegal had 16 shots on goal and 4 shots on target; The Netherlands had 10 shots on goal and 3 on target. But there is no doubt that when it comes to efficiency, the uncrowned king is superior. Van Gaal, the old coach who went out to coach for the third time, made it clear that he would complete the fatal blow to Senegal by boiling frogs in warm water from the beginning. Replacing former main goalkeeper Silaison, Norbert, the main goalkeeper who played in this World Cup, executed the tactical intentions of the boss well.
Instead, it was Chelsea's goalkeeper Mendy, who made a mark for Senegal in the Africa Cup, who finally made the mistake towards the end of regular time. Due to his lack of time, he gave 23-year-old Einhorn striker Cody Gakpo a chance. The young man's 84th-minute header helped Holland take full initiative on the pitch. This is Gakpo's World Cup debut, the young man seized the opportunity, considering that Gakpo has contributed 13 goals and 17 assists in 23 league games this season, coupled with his brilliant performance in the World Cup, it can only be said that the future is immeasurable, and doubling his value is not a dream.
In the 98th minute of stoppage time, Depay quickly advanced into the box with his left-footed shot that was saved by Mendy, but Klassen, who quickly followed up, added a goal. The Netherlands won 2-0 against Senegal to open the World Cup! For Mendy, he has been showing a wide range of motion and timely attack for most of the time, but because of these two flawed performances, the team swallowed the bitter fruit of a 2-0 defeat, which is indeed sad.
In this game, there was also an episode, Senegalese player Cuyate was attacked by the latter's hand in the process of competing with De Jong for a high ball, and after struggling repeatedly, he could not continue the game, and could only be carried off the field, and the picture hurt to watch.
With this game won, the qualification situation of the Netherlands gradually became clear, the next game against Ecuador, will the old coach Van Gaal still use this set of warm boiled frogs? It's worth looking forward to. The Netherlands, who are in Group A, will definitely go all out to secure the top spot, after all, they don't want to meet the Three Lions in the knockout round early.