Dutch roll on in Nations League; Belgium rebound
Sports Desk, Jun 8 (EFE).- The Netherlands beat Wales 2-1 Wednesday to remain first in Group 4 of the A tier of the Nations League and Belgium clobbered Poland 6-1 to redeem an embarrassing loss to the Dutch on Match Day 1.
With two victories, the Orange are 3 points ahead of Belgium and Poland, who sit third on goal difference. Wales have yet to earn a point.
Belgium were under pressure to improve after losing 4-1 to their archrivals in the opener for both teams and they pinned the Poles in their own end for much of the first half.
Yet the first goal in Brussels would go to the visitors, who took the lead in the 28th minute courtesy of Robert Lewandowski.
Axel Witsel brought the hosts level in the 42nd and they went ahead just before the hour mark with a goal from Kevin de Bruyne, assisted by a rejuvenated Eden Hazard.
Leandro Trossard scored twice in seven minutes to seal the win before goals from Leander Dendoncker and Lois Openda completed the rout.
In Cardiff, the Dutch needed a goal from Wout Weghorst in the 94th minute to claim all 3 points.
Despite a significant edge in possession, the Netherlands – with an entirely different starting 11 from the win over Belgium – generated only two shots on target.
Teun Koopmeiners broke through for the Dutch in the 50th minute, but Rhys Norrington-Davies equalized for the Dragons in the 92nd, two minutes before Weghorst responded.
It was the first home loss for Wales in almost four years.
EFE
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