Thanks to Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen, the Netherlands dominate 2-0 Senegal, which held on until the 85th minute. The Lions must react on Friday against the host country Qatar, beaten in its first outing by Ecuador, on the same score.
Arriving in Qatar with the status of African champion, Senegal is playing its 3rd Africa Cup of Nations. The Lions had always made victorious entries. A feat in 2022 against France, the defending world champion, beaten 1-0 on a goal by Pape Bouba Diop. And a success against Poland in 2018 (2-1). This time, the Lions could not take the three points. They even fell against the Netherlands (2-0).
It was with five minutes to go in regulation time that the Dutch made the difference. Frenkie De Jong, one of the few times he was not taken very high, put a wonderful ball behind the defense of Senegal and especially on the head of Cody Gakpo who beat Edouard Mendy (1-0, 85th). Louis Van Gaal's men took advantage of a short period of hesitation of Aliou Cissé's team, which had to deal with the injury exits of Abdou Diallo (62nd) and Cheikhou Kouyate (73rd). Forced to react by chasing for an equalize, Senegal will be caught on the counter in the extra time. Davy Klaassen on the lookout for a ball badly pushed back by Edouard Mendy scored the second goal.
A very balanced first half
The first half was very balanced with Senegal preventing the Netherlands from developing its game. With three defensive midfielders lined up from the start, Aliou Cissé imposed a physical fight in the midfield to Louis Van Gaal's men. He succeeded in his plan because Nampalys Mendy, Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa Gana pressed the Oranje all over the field. They scratched high several balls. Unfortunately, during the first 45 minutes, the Lions lacked accuracy in the last move. If Ismaila Sarr was a threat to De Ligt, Boulaye Dia did not receive many good balls. He ran a lot to hinder the Dutch relays. And Krépin Diatta, certainly enterprising, had difficulty making the difference on the right side.
With this setback, Senegal is obliged to dominate Qatar on Friday for the second day of this group A. The Qataris lost their first match 2-0 against Ecuador.
