Poland had their hopes throughout the match but the last smile was for the Netherlands, in it debut of both in the Euro 2024. Koeman’s team overcame the initial disadvantage and achieved a hard-fought 2-1 victoryin the final minutes, with a goal from Wout Weghorst, in his first action after entering. Relive the best of the duel for by Star+ (only for South America).
Irregular during his debut in the Euro Cup, against the combative Poland, The Netherlands team achieved a close victory thanks to the appearances of Nathan Akeassistant in both goals Cody Gakpo and of Wout Weghorst which were enough to overcome Adam Buksa’s initial goal that complicated the existence of the ‘oranje’ team.
The Netherlands picked up the baton of the teams that should go far in the Euro Cup and jumped onto the grass of the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg with the proposal of presenting their candidacy for the title. Ronald Koeman’s men, with only one surprise this week, the absence of Frenkie de Jong, were eager to start with victory against a team with many problems.
The main one, the loss of Robert Lewandowski, with muscle problems from the last friendly match in Poland. Without the Barcelona striker, coach Michal Probierz surprised with the presence of Adam Buksa, a 1.93 centimeter giant on loan from Lens to Turkish Antalyaspor and trained in New England in the United States. A peculiar case, the classic that appears in large tournaments and that becomes known while being practically unknown.
There is always some name that appears out of nowhere and Buksa, who sat Piatek on the bench, perhaps the most logical option to replace Lewandowski, decided that it was going to be him. And just It took a quarter of an hour to leave its mark, with a spectacular header from a corner taken by Piotr Zielinski that surprised Bart Verbruggen. Buksa rose above Denzel Dumfries, performed a textbook header’s neck turn and sent the ball into the net.
At those moments, The Netherlands dominated the match almost completely. Joey Veerman, Frenkie de Jong’s replacement, emerged as a good helm. Up front, Memphis Depay left his details and, above all, Cody Gakpo became a scourge for Przemyslaw Frankowski on the left wing. Continuously, time and time again, the Liverpool player insisted on making it clear that wingers are in fashion in the Euro Cup after the exhibitions of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and the good game of Yamine Lamal.
Gakpo was the first to touch the goal, after two minutes, but he found a good hand from Wojciech Szczesny, who supported his teammates for half an hour. He also hit a magnificent dive on a volley from Virgil van Dijk and was saved from collecting the ball from the goal because Xavi Simons and Tijani Reijners did not sharpen their aim.
However, Szczesny could not prevent the tie, the work of Gakpo, who had a stroke of luck because Bartosz Salamon deflected his shot from outside the area to mislead the Juventus goalkeeper. And also with the collaboration of Aké, who stole the ball to assist his teammate.
Gakpo’s goal did not destabilize Poland, who at times managed to dominate the situation to lean forward and scare the Netherlands. In fact, Kiwior was encouraged with a rise from the left that ended with a left foot shot that Verbruggen narrowly saved. It was the penultimate chance of the first half, which would still experience a final push with the chance on the Memphis horn that ended with the ball grazing a post of Szczesny’s goal.
Poland lived on a constant roller coaster. He almost always balanced the game and when the Netherlands stepped on the accelerator, he always did something to get out of the pressure. And at the beginning of the second half, when Koeman’s team came out like a cyclone, Probierz changed to three pieces to bring on Bartosza Slisz, Karol Swiderski and Jakub Moder. He managed to turn the situation around and Poland took control.
Even Zielinskiwhich undoubtedly was the most inspired Polish team player Together with Buksa, he was able to put his teammates ahead on the scoreboard, but Verbruggen once again avoided the same goal with less than half an hour left in the game. Koeman responded with the departure of Veerman and Simons and the entry of Donyell Malen and Georginio Wijnaldum.
The two technicians seemed to be playing chess with partial victories for each one. And Koeman’s last movements turned the duel upside down again.
Netherlands went for the second goal. During the last stretch, he lived in the Poland sector of the field, which definitely backed down to hold out for the tie. The siege began and the opportunities began to arrive.
Van Dijk tried it with his head; Dumfries too, with a cross shot and another that Szczesny took with his feet; and Finally, with seven minutes remaining, Wout Weghorst, who had just entered the field, took advantage of another assist from Aké to give victory to the Netherlands.
His goal relieved Koeman’s team, who still saw their victory in jeopardy with a last attempt by Swiderski that Verbruggen narrowly saved.
It was the last scourge for the Probierz team, who courageously stood up to the Netherlands, finally winning their first duel thanks to the appearances of Aké and the successes of Gakpo and Weghorst.
How the European Championship continues for the Netherlands and Poland
On the next day of the Euro Cup, on Friday the 21st, Poland will face Austriaon the second date of group D.
Next, Netherlands will face Francein the most anticipated duel in the area.
