The Netherlands, France’s opponents on the next day in Group D of Euro-2024, won 2-1 against Poland, tough despite the absence of their star Robert Lewandowski, Sunday in Hamburg. Plagued by real finishing problems, the Dutch failed to realize their numerous scoring possibilities, remaining constantly under threat from a Polish counterattack.
Weghorst gives the Netherlands the lead in the 83rd minute
But the Oranje, who played in blue on Sunday in front of an audience won over to their cause, are warned: Memphis Depay and his teammates are capable of pressing very high and without their concerns about efficiency, they could prove formidable. After a start to the match in favor of Ronald Koeman’s men with attempts from Gakpo and Reijnders in the first minutes, the Poles however iced the Oranje on their first opportunity, via a header from Adam Buksa on reception from a corner (16th).
A goal which highlighted the feverishness of the Dutch defense in set phases. Rewarded for their incessant offensive pushes, the Netherlands got back on track shortly before the half-hour mark thanks to a full-axis shot from Cody Gakpo deflected by Bartosz Salamon (1-1, 29th). Like their supporters who had marched in their thousands through the streets of Hamburg, the Oranje proceeded in waves, ultimately only failing, in the first half, in the last gesture.
Identical gap after the break. Depay (49th), Simons (55), or even Dumfries (65) and De Vrij (74), in a scoring position, did not take advantage of it. The match then decreased in intensity. The Oranje, suddenly too static, finally relied on the scoring instinct of substitute Wout Weghorst (entered the game two minutes earlier in place of Depay) to finally take the advantage in the 83rd. Weghorst, true No.9, which Depay is not, enough to make Koeman think for the rest of the competition.
The Netherlands will continue their tournament on Friday against France, favorite of the competition which begins its Euro on Monday against Austria. Poland, which hopes to recover Lewandowski, injured in the thigh during the last preparation match against Turkey, will play its second match against the Austrians.