Wesley Sneijder’s farewell match for Netherlands saw Memphis Depay net twice as Oranje came from behind to defeat Peru 2-1 in Amsterdam.

Sneijder’s 134th and final cap saw him captain an Oranje side that lined up with Ryan Babel at left-wing back, while Kevin Strootman and Georginio Wijnaldum anchor a midfield behind Sneijder and Ruud Vormer.

Ronald Koeman’s tactics did not work in the first half with Peru the better side and after they forced Jasper Cillessen into a fine stop, Pedro Aquino rose above Daley Blind to head in a corner on 12 minutes.

Netherlands went looking for an equaliser before the break but the struggled to find a way past an organised Peru defence. Shots from distance from Memphis, Sneijder and Daley Blind did little, while Matthijs de Ligt headed over.

At the break, Davy Pröpper and Frenkie de Jong replaced the ineffective Strootman and Wijnaldum, but it did not have an instant impact with Peru going close three times in the opening minutes of the second half. Netherlands survived and eventually took a foothold on the game with Babel forcing Pedro Gallese into a good save before Vormer missed two great chances.

Just before the hour mark, the equaliser came with De Jong providing the assist on his debut for Memphis to net. Moments later as the hour mark came up, Sneijder was replaced by Quincy Promes and the Johan Cruyff ArenA erupted in applause for the Netherlands record cap holder.

Eight minutes from time Netherlands found the winning goal and it was again Memphis who found the net after a lucky one-two with Promes.

Koeman earns his first victory at home since taking charge of Netherlands and is unbeaten in four matches. His Oranje side must now prepare to meet France in their UEFA Nations League opener on Sunday. France drew 0-0 against Germany in the group opener.




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