Gakpo Goal Wins It For Holland

The European heavyweights won their opening World Cup match, which was also their first in 3,057 days.

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

The most hyped Group A match may have taken some time to get going, but it would eventually deliver.

The Dutch should've taken the lead after Vincent Jaansen looked to find Cody Gakpo for a tap-in however the pass across goal didn't reach Gakpo. Frenkie De Jong also blew a golden chance early in the game, taking too many touches and failing to get a shot off. Up the other end Senegal attacked hard, and forced Dutch goalie Andries Noppert to make four saves

The Dutch seemingly couldn't get anything going in the second half, with only six touches in Senegal's box for the first thirty minutes of the second half.

Thankfully for the Oranje, the seventh touch would find the first goal of the game.

A beautiful cross from Frenkie De Jong found Cody Gakpo. Edouard Mendy rushed out with his fists out, but the youngster didn't back down, and bravely nodded the ball past Mendy to make it 1-0. Davy Klaasen capped it off with the last kick of the game, as he rebounded Edouard Mendy's save on Memphis Depay into the net, and the Netherlands won their first World Cup game in over 3,000 days 2-0.

At the end of Matchday One, the Netherlands are in first of Group A and Senegal are in third. The last matchday could be crucial for Senegal, as they play second placed Ecuador. They may have to do it without Cheickhou Kouyate, who was substituted off with an injury after a challenge against Frenkie De Jong