FIFA World Cup: Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen score late goals in Netherlands 2-0 win over Senegal

The Lions from Teranga, who will be without their Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane for this tournament, fought doggedly but could not find a way past Dutch debutant goalkeeper Andries Noppert.

The win against Qatar was a much-needed victory for the Oranje, who now sits in a strong position in their group. With matches still to be played against Ecuador and Qatar, the Oranje will be looking to build on this win and make it to the World Cup Finals for the fourth time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FT: Senegal 0-2 The Netherlands.<br><br>HUGE 3 POINTS! 🇳🇱 <a href="https://t.co/rhuKz9BJTO">pic.twitter.com/rhuKz9BJTO</a></p>&mdash; 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1594752648107925505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The disappointing match at Al-Thumama Stadium took place in front of many empty seats, although organisers claimed the country was in World Cup fever.

However, the crowd was reported at 41,721 - more than the stadium was supposed to hold.

The best chance in the first half came from Barcelona's playmaker Frenkie De Jong in the 19th minute.

Steven Bergwijn played a slanting pass to the onrushing Steven Berghuis, who passed the ball to Frenkie De Jong, who appeared to have the goal in front of him.

But the man Manchester United wanted to sign in the summer but ultimately failed overplayed the ball, and Cheikhou Kouyate cleared.

Watford striker Ismaila Sarr had Senegal's two best chances, but Frenkie De Jong hit the crossbar.

Senegal pressed high and forced a mistake from Andries Noppert, who eventually got the ball to Sarr, who shot across the goal. Sarr then passed to Denzel Dumfries, who found space to shoot on the edge of the box.

This time his shot was on goal, but Virgil Van Dijk was able to keep it out.

The Dutch lived dangerously again when a pass from Frenkie De Jong from his goal line surprised Virgil Van Dijk, but Senegal could not punish it.

Seven minutes into the second half, Virgil Van Dijk headed across the goal from a Gakpo corner before Memphis Depay, back from a thigh injury, scored in the 62nd minute.

Memphis Depay was substituted in the 62nd minute. Senegal almost took the lead three minutes later when Boulaye Dia steered a low shot for a corner, but Andries Noppert made a brilliant save to keep the ball out.

Senegal then had to do without Kouyate, the Nottingham Forest man having to be stretchered off after seemingly landing awkwardly.

With only six minutes to go, the Dutch managed to score the goal they needed. De Jong brought the ball in from the left side and Gakpo headed it past Chelsea's goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

That was the deserved equaliser for PSV Eindhoven after an impressive performance.

Substitute Pape Gueye almost immediately replied for Senegal, but Andries Noppert could keep out his shot.

In eight minutes of stoppage time, the Dutch made the victory perfect when Mendy deflected a shot from Depay and substitute Klaassen tapped in the rebound