Netherlands didn’t disappoint as they won their 2022 FIFA World Cup opening match beating Senegal 2-0 in front of 41 721 people at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar on Monday evening.
The Dutch had a chance to take the lead in the 19th minute, but Frenkie de Jong failed to beat Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Eight minutes later, the Oranje attacked and were awarded a corner kick, which was taken by Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dyk’s free header missed.
After holding on for more than 80 minutes, the Teranga Lions cracked as Dutch footballer of the year Gakpo headed past Mendy to give his team the lead six minutes from full-time.
Davy Klaassen made it 2-0 on the stroke of full-time after Mendy parried Memphis Depay’s attempt into his way to make sure that the Oranje maintained their good record of doing well in World Cup opening matches.
The Oranje have not lost a World Cup opening match since the 1938 tournament where they were beaten by Czechoslovakia.
