Qatar 2022: The Netherlands Prevail Over African Champions Senegal

The Oranje picked up a hard fought 2-0 victory against African champions Senegal, in group A of the FIFA world cup.

Senegal matched the Netherlands stride for stride but it took little details for Van Dijk and co to beat the Teranga Lions through goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.

It was clear that Sarr was the one Senegal looked up to in Mane’s absence, and the Watford man started the game in fine fertile.

Inside the opening minutes, Sarr dispossessed De Ligt and his cross met Dia but the center forward’s shot was blocked by Frankie De Jong for a corner.

The two teams were cautious and weary of each other’s attacking threat despite some sloppiness in possession at both ends.

Senegal was nearly caught from their own corner at the 18th minute, as Janssen played through  De Jong who had the goal at his mercy, but didn’t let fly and Senegal regrouped with bodies at the back to stop the attack.

Zero-all it ended at the first half. Senegal controlled the game more in the second half but lacked good decisions in the final third. 65 minutes in, Boulaye Dia had his first meaningful action of the game when he was slide in by Krepin Diatta. The Villarreal man brought out a decent stop from goalkeeper Noppert.

Sarr was a handful for De Ligt all through. Two minutes to the last quarter of the game,  Sarr ran with purpose into the Dutch half and guided the ball towards Gueye, but the latter’s shot stung the palm of Noppert before the flag went up for offside.

The game’s opener was scored at the 83rd minute with the first shot on target for the Netherlands. Édouard Mendy made a hash of a delightful ball by De Jong and Cody Gakpo was on hand to nick it into the net for 1-0.

Noppert matched a cheeky shot from Pape Gueye early in borrowed time, before Davy Klassen In the last minute of added  time (90+8),  netted to seal the deal for the Dutch. Depay had a go at Koulibaly and his shot was parried by Mendy to the path of Klassen who scored for 2-0. The Dutch join Ecuador as top of the group while Qatar and Senegal are placed bottom.