Cody Gakpo scored and excited on the left wing for the Netherlands, as Virgil van Dijk‘s group beat Poland 2-1 at Euro 2024.
Supervisor Ronald Koeman selected to play two of Liverpool three gamers within the Netherlands squad, predictably leaving Ryan Gravenberch on the bench.
Barely surprisingly, Van Dijk was partnered by Stefan de Vrij who beat out competitors from Matthijs de Ligt and Tottenham‘s Micky van de Ven to start out.
To the centre-halves’ proper, Denzel Dumfries began as a substitute of Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida.
You want a little bit of luck generally…
Cody Gakpo in the appropriate place on the proper time for the Netherlands. #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #POLNED pic.twitter.com/WFHZtaq914
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 16, 2024
The largest risk from the Netherlands got here by way of Liverpool’s Gakpo, who prompted fixed issues down the left, usually creating probabilities for Memphis Depay.
Gakpo went shut early on when he drilled a shot in direction of the close to publish. He had an important alternative later within the half, too, when he skied over from little greater than six yards out.
It was truly underdogs Poland who took the lead, nevertheless, due to Adam Buksa’s header from a Piotr Zielinski inswinging nook.
Van Dijk virtually responded from a nook instantly, however his sweetly struck volley was angled too intently to the goalkeeper.
The Netherlands’ work paid off, although, within the twenty ninth minute when Gakpo’s long-range shot took a depraved deflection to beat Poland’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny.
With the scoreline nonetheless at 1-1, Koeman threw extra Pink affect into the combo, bringing on Gini Wijnaldum for yellow card-burdened Joey Veerman within the 62nd minute.
????? Degree in Hamburg on the break…#EURO2024 | #POLNED pic.twitter.com/TiKn1qG6Vb
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 16, 2024
18 minutes later, Gakpo and Depay have been changed by Wout Weghorst and the Liverpool-linked Bayer Leverkusen winger, Jeremie Frimpong.
It didn’t take lengthy for match specialist Weghorst to make an affect, scoring his group’s second simply two minutes after coming into the pitch.
With Gakpo performing excellently on the left throughout the first half, Liverpool supporters have been enthusiastic about what subsequent season may carry.
Gakpo simply so clearly a left winger it truly is weird he is barely performed there for us.
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) June 16, 2024
Gakpo and worldwide tournaments. I don’t know what it’s however he loves it.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) June 16, 2024
Have a look at how good Gakpo appears to be like taking part in off the left
It’s virtually as when you play a participant into their pure place and so they carry out wonders
He’ll smash it for us subsequent season
— Tom Little (@TomL1ttle_) June 16, 2024
Gakpo has been completely good on the left! What a deserved aim.
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) June 16, 2024
Cody Gakpo as a left ahead is the best way to go #euro2024 #LFC
— Charlotte Coates (@CACoates96) June 16, 2024
Simply look how comfy Gakpo appears to be like on the left. All the things he does is second nature – simply play him to his strengths and every part will comply with
— GakpoFC (@GakpoFC) June 16, 2024
Spectacular half from Gakpo, despite the fact that he ought to have scored a second, & extra proof of in all probability his finest place, on the left of the assault. Netherlands the higher aspect, however wasteful with the probabilities their good build-up has created. One other open contest. #POLNED #Euro2024
— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) June 16, 2024
Up subsequent for Van Dijk and co. is a tricky match towards France at RB Leipzig’s Pink Bull Enviornment. There, they may come up towards Ibrahima Konate if he’s chosen to start out.
That match kicks off at 8pm (BST) on June 21.
