The Dutch took on a slightly weak Polish side as they played against the Oranje without their star player, Lewandowski. From the game’s first minutes, the Dutchmen seemed unstoppable as they took a commanding stride forward in the beginning stages.
The EPL experts laid the Dutch, including Manchester City defender Nathan Ake and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. However, Ronald Koeman’s side lay behind as Adam Buksa headed home a cross from a Polish corner.
Their lead didn’t last long as the Liverpool forward broke through the Polish defence line and took a 20-yard strike that went in past the Polish goalkeeper Szczesny.
However, despite the early momentum gained, the star-studded Koeman’s side did not keep up with it, as Gakpo, Dumfries, Depay, and the centre-backs missed several chances to score, and the match kept slipping towards the ending minutes.
The failure of Simmons and Depay was questioned, and so was Koeman for not sending in Weghorst and Frimpong even after being left behind for such a long period. The absence of Frenkie De Jong was severely felt, as the Dutch were miserable in the midfield.
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It was in the last 10 minutes that Koeman finally called the ex-Manchester United striker into the game, and he immediately made an impact with his first-touch finish. This, in turn, added to his status as a tournament specialist.
The Oranje ended the scoreline at 2-1 to the Polish side, and it was then that the Netherlands finally earned their victory at Hamburg on Sunday.