The Netherlands defeated Senegal 2-0 on Monday, November 21st, to take the lead in World Cup Group A. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen secured the victory.
Senegal suffered a heartbreaking loss in their opening 2022 World Cup game thanks to late goals from Cody Gakpo and replacement Davy Klaassen, who put Netherlands in a strong position to win Group A.
Before Gakpo rose highest to head home Frenkie De Jong’s floated ball into the area ahead of Edouard Mendy, the game between the two top-ranked sides in the group appeared to be headed for a dull goalless draw.
In the ninth minute of added time, the Chelsea goalkeeper could have done better when he could only block Memphis Depay’s feeble shot into the path of fellow Dutch replacement Davy Klaassen, who swept home the game-winning goal.
In the absence of their talisman and leading scorer Sadio Mane, who was forced to withdraw from the competition after knee surgery, Senegal appeared to be lacking in attack.