FIFA 2022 World Cup Group A Match Report: Senegal 0-2 Netherlands – Mendy mistakes costs Senegal.

Cody Gakpo and Davy Klassen scored goals in an unconvincing 2-0 win against Senegal for the Clockwork Orange in their first World Cup game in eight years.

There was an end to end start to this game with Senegal getting a corner in the first minute that resulted in nothing. Gakpo then slipped to stop the Netherlands from having their first real chance of the game two minutes later.

Senegal started the game the brighter of the two teams but lacked the creativity in midfield and getting the ball in the final third. In the first half, Frenkie De Jong was the bright star for the Dutch side with high passing and the most touches. It's a half which sums up two teams missing their biggest goal threats.

A challenge by Matthijs de Ligt on Ismaïla Sarr resulted in the first yellow of the game. Memphis Depay then made his first appearance in the World Cup after 60 minutes coming on for Vincent Janssen.

Boulaye Dia forced Andries Noppert into the first real goalkeeper movement of this second half, forcing it behind for a corner. 

Six minutes from time, the man every Dutch fan is talking about, Gakpo broke the deadlock after beating Edouard Mendy to the ball from a brilliant cross by Frenkie De Jong to go ahead.

Senegal had a few chances to level the game back up but none of them were clinical enough to scare the Dutch defence. In the final minute, Depay forced Mendy into a save that sent the ball into the path of Klassen to beat the African champions.

On paper, this will be the hardest game for the Netherlands in the group stage and they did what they need to do to get all three points in a crucial game. Senegal were unlucky to get nothing from this game but Noppert did his job, and they missed Sadio Mane today. 

The Netherlands next game in the 2022 FIFA World Cup is against, the other winner in Group A, Ecuador on Friday at 4 o’clock GMT.