Dutch late show sees off Senegal

Doha, Nov 21 (EFE).- The Netherlands edged a close Group A match against Senegal on Monday thanks to two late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.

Gakpo darted into the box to beat Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to the ball and head Frenkie de Jong’s cross into the net to break the deadlock in the 84th minute when the game looked likely to end goalless.

It was a close affair between two evenly matched teams, with the Netherlands’ star defender Virgil Van Dijk rarely troubled.

Senegal had had the better openings in the second half, but they lacked a cutting edge as they sorely missed their talismanic striker Sadio Mane, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

With the West Africans pushing for an equalizer deep into stoppage time, the Dutch broke on the counter attack through Memphis Depay, whose shot was tamely parried by Mendy into Klassen’s path for him to seal the win.

The win leaves the Netherlands level on points with Ecuador, who they face next on Friday. The winner of that match will seal a place in the Round of 16. EFE

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