A last second Cody Gakpo penalty saw the Netherlands defeat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their final pre-World Cup friendly.
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Less than a week before the Netherlands take on Japan in their World Cup opener, Ronald Koeman named a strong eleven to face Uzbekistan in New York.
On a training pitch with no fans to watch, The Netherlands dominated from the start but they struggled to create chances. When Donyell Malen was presented with an open goal, the striker somehow fired wide.
The opener did eventually come before the break as the lively Crysencio Summerville was brought down in the box and Gakpo made it 1-0 from the spot.
Early in the second half, Bart Verbruggen had to be substituted and was replaced by Mark Flekken. A worry for Koeman, who lost Jurrien Timber earlier in the day on Monday.
Brian Brobbey and Guus Til also came off the bench and the former missed a great chance to double the lead.
Then came a crazy final few minutes that saw Til sent off for handling the ball as the last defender. Uzbekistan also wanted a penalty but they just got a free kick. Then moments later, Uzbekistan did equalise through Igor Sergeev and it appeared the game would end 1-1.
However, Jan Paul van Hecke was fouled in the box and Gakpo won it for the Netherlands from the spot in the 96th minute.
Not an ideal match for Koeman as the Netherlands missed chances and also lost Verbruggen to an injury. It needs to be much better in six days against Japan.
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Who Did German Mathematician Joachim Klement Predict To Win 2026 World Cup?
As you already know, the World Cup is held every 4 years around the globe. Meaning Joachim Klement’s streak of successfully picking the World Cup winner using his complex mathematical model stretches back 12 years and counting.
He correctly identified Germany winning in 2014 in Brazil, France winning in 2018 in Russia, and Argentina with Lionel Messi winning the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Who does he have this year? A team that most experts would not expect to be hosting the trophy at the end of the month-long tournament.
This year, for the 2026 World Cup, Joachim Klement’s model has predicted that The Netherlands will beat Spain in the Semifinal and then beat Portugal in the World Cup Final to win the first-ever World Cup title for the country.
Brobbey looked direct and lively.
I would like to see Kluivert in there behind him, instead of Reijnders.
Brobbey and Kluivert provide the work rate needed to create space.
That’s how you open up a determined low block – which we have faced two games in a row, and are likely to meet again in the group stage.
Incidentally, the Dutch National team is now playing a lot like Liverpool FC 24-26 – perhaps unsurprisingly.
Lots of passing and possession, but struggling to open up teams who sit deep, over-committing, losing shape and then getting absolutely mauled on the counter attack – managing to make every opponent look like Real Madrid in the process.
Awkward sometimes, but if it works… and we click, this team and these tactics will go far. I can see what the plan is.
Not much on our bench, so one or two injuries and the tournament will be over very quickly.
Risk and reward. Why not?
Let’s bring this home. It’s our year!!