Poland had practically made the perfect match with the means at its disposal. For their entry into Group D of Euro 2024, Michał Probierz’s men led the score, resisted with panache and even cast doubt on the Netherlands, largely given as favorites before the match. But Wout Weghorst, who entered the game two minutes earlier and who had not yet touched a single ball, finally turned the match around in its final minutes to offer victory to the Oranges.
Two goals in half an hour
For its first match, Poland was without its star, Robert Lewandowski. Victim of a muscle tear, the giant was forced to cede his captain’s armband to Piotr Zieliński, as well as his place on the front of the attack to Adam Buksa. Not enough to put pressure on the two men, who quickly take responsibility. From a corner, Zieliński sends a perfect ball towards Buksa, left alone by passive Dutch defenders; the attacker perfectly crosses his header to open the scoring, to everyone’s surprise (1-0, 16th).
Ronald Koeman’s men were picked cold, even though they created some hot chances in the first quarter of an hour. After a good number of cartridges sent into the setting or between the gloves of Szczęsny, the last gesture finally ends up succeeding for the Dutch thanks to Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool striker, served by Aké, fired a powerful, deflected shot from outside the area which this time ended up in the back of the net (1-1, 29th).
A decisive replacement
Despite their large possession of the ball and new chances, before and after the break, the Netherlands failed to take the advantage. For its part, Poland is not content to simply resist, sending new attackers to coal and in turn beginning to appear dangerous. Bart Verbruggen, former Anderlecht goalkeeper, had to stop a Kiwior strike at the far post.
Seeing his team struggling, Ronald Koeman made changes and modified his entire attack. And it is indeed one of his jokers who will finally break through the solid Polish wall. On a sharp pass from Aké, Wout Weghorst, who came into play only a few moments before, passed in front of a hitherto impeccable Salamon and disgusted Szczęsny (1-2, 83rd). The Poles try their luck until the end, requesting an imperial Verbruggen several times, but the Dutch hold on to their advantage and their victory.
A victory which places the Netherlands at the top of Group D before the entry of France and the Netherlands, who face each other this Monday.
Poland: Szczęsny – Bednarek, Salamon (Bereszynski, 86th), Kiwior – Frankowski, Zieliński (Piotrowski, 77th), Romanczuk (Slisz, 55th), Zalewski – Urbański (Świderski, 55th), Buksa, Szymański (Moder, 46th)
The Netherlands : Verbruggen – Dumfries, de Vrij, van Dijk, Aké (Van de Ven, 89th) – Schouten, Reijnders, Veerman (Wijnaldum, 62nd) – Simons (Malen, 62nd), Depay (Frimpong, 81st), Gakpo (Weghorst, 81st)
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