Netherlands 3-0 Greece: Cody Gakpo on target as Oranje cruise to win in Euro 2024 qualifying
Cody Gakpo was on the scoresheet as Netherlands brushed past Greece 3-0 in Eindhoven to pick up an important win – just their second since the World Cup – in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Marten de Roon opened the scoring from a corner, reacting quickest to a deflected Denzel Dumfries knockdown. The subtle deflection robbed Dumfries of an assist, but he would have two before the first half was over.
First he crossed to an unmarked Gakpo, who had time to chest and fire home, and eight minutes later Dumfries crossed for a flying Wout Weghorst to head in.
And 3-0 is how it finished, with Netherlands taking their foot off the gas in the second half despite the lively Simons’ best efforts to score his first Oranje goal.
The Dutch now have six points from three games and have leapfrogged Greece on goal difference to sit in second place in Group B. Both trail France, who have played a game more than Greece and two more than the Netherlands, by nine points.
TALKING POINT – Ronald Koeman, and Netherlands, get big win
The Dutch manager was under growing pressure going into this game. With just one win in four matches since he resumed managing the team post-World Cup, which came against Gibraltar, he was off to a rocky restart and his team selection was scrutinised heavily.
This result eases much of that pressure. So too should the nature of the second and third goals, both of which came at the end of moves with real precision.
You are only as good as your last result, and if Netherlands cannot follow this up with a win in Dublin on Sunday you can bet Koeman’s critics will be out in force once more, but for now this much-needed win buys the manager time and goodwill.
This is only Ronald Koeman’s second win since returning as Netherlands manager
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)
Given licence to roam because Koeman ditched his four-at-the-back system, Dumfries did not disappoint. He set up two goals, really three, and could easily have scored one himself, instead being denied by the post.
PLAYER RATINGS
Netherlands: Flekken 6, Geertruida 7, Van Dijk 6, Ake 6, Dumfries 8, De Roon 6, De Jong 7, Blind 6, Simons 7, Gakpo 7, Weghorst 6. Subs: De Vrij 6, Lang 5, Reijnders 5, Veerman 5, De Ligt 5.
Greece: Vlachodimos 6, Rota 4, Retsos 5, Chatzidiakos 6, Tsimikas 6, Siopis 5, Kourbelis 4, Masouras 5, Bakasetas 5, Mantalos 5, Pavlidis 5. Subs: Fountas 5, Giannoulis 5, Koulierakis 5, Giakoumakis 5, Bouchalakis 5.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-0 GREECE (DE ROON) 17′ – A booming, out-swinging corner is headed down into the mixer by Dumfries and De Roon slashes the ball into the net.
GREAT SAVE 28′ – Simons escapes a couple of Greek defenders, drives forward, shoots and sees his shot deflected – wrongfooting Vlachodimos – but the goalkeeper reacts brilliantly to tip over.
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 2-0 GREECE (GAKPO) 31′ – Simons and Dumfries combine down the right, with the latter lofting a cross to Gakpo, who has time to chest then fire into the net.
OFF THE POST! 36′ – Allowed lots of space in a central position, Dumfries goes for goal and his low, curling shot hits the outside of the post.
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 3-0 GREECE (WEGHORST) 39′ – Gakpo beats his man in the middle of the park, switches the play to Dumfries and his pinpoint cross is headed in by a flying Weghorst.
KEY STATS
- De Roon’s goal was his first for the Netherlands, on the night of his 38th cap.
- Gakpo, with seven goals, is now the leading scorer in this Dutch squad.
- The Netherlands have won eight of their 10 meetings with Greece, losing just once.
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