Netherlands survived an early scare to defeat Poland 2-1 in Hamburg within the opening recreation of Group D at Euro 2024 as former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst got here off the bench to attain a late winner.
Robert Lewandowski was absent for the Poles resulting from a hamstring damage, however his alternative Adam Buksa stuffed the void to look Michal Probierz’s aspect in entrance (16) from Piotr Zielinski’s nook.
Netherlands, who had already missed good probabilities by way of Tijjani Reijnders and Xavi Simons, should have levelled when Memphis Depay lifted his shot over the bar six minutes later – however they restored parity when Cody Gakpo’s deflected shot wrong-footed Wojciech Szczesny (29).
It was the primary of 5 makes an attempt Gakpo had within the first-half throughout a wasteful efficiency – the joint-most on file (since 1980) for a Dutch participant within the first half of a match on the Euros.
Poland wanted the interval, however they confirmed extra attacking intent upon the restart as Jakub Kiwior’s shot took a nick off Nathan Ake and compelled Bart Verbruggen to make the save, earlier than Piotr Zielinski’s try from 20 yards introduced one other sensible cease from the Dutch goalkeeper.
This was a spirited Polish staff however after Denzel Dumfries swept one other try extensive of the far publish, it was substitute Weghorst – nonetheless a Burnley participant – who scored the winner inside 5 minutes of coming off the bench, latching onto a intelligent by way of ball from Nathan Ake to information residence his seventh aim in his final 11 appearances for the Oranje.
Poland refused to surrender as substitute Karol Swiderski almost levelled when he met Jakub Piotrowski’s cross to fireside low in direction of the close to publish and have Verbruggen at full stretch earlier than Piotrowski’s follow-up was blazed into the side-netting.
The consequence means the Netherlands prime the group forward of France dealing with Austria within the different match from the opening gameweek in Düsseldorf on Monday.
