Netherlands 1 – 1 Ecuador

Ecuador hit again to carry Netherlands to a 1-1 draw within the second sport of their Group A marketing campaign on the 2022 World Cup, and within the course of knock out hosts Qatar.

The end result means neither aspect has but certified for the final 16, though it does remove Qatar – who had misplaced 3-1 to Senegal earlier within the day.

Cody Gakpo’s second purpose of the match put Netherlands forward early on, however Ecuador hit again at the beginning of the second half by Enner Valencia. The former West Ham striker notched his third of the match, however there have been considerations for him late on as he was pressured off on a stretcher with a knee harm.

It leaves the Netherlands needing some extent in opposition to Qatar of their ultimate group sport on Tuesday, whereas Ecuador may even progress in the event that they keep away from defeat in opposition to Senegal.

Netherlands begin quick however Ecuador fireplace again

Gakpo broke by for the Netherlands with six minutes to go of their opener in opposition to Senegal, however in opposition to Ecuador – a group that have been on a run of seven clear sheets in a row – it took him till simply the sixth minute.

The PSV Eindhoven ahead picked up Davy Klaasen’s go on the sting of the field earlier than taking two touches to tee himself up after which slamming one inside Hernan Galindez’s close to submit.

Ecuador thought they’d the lead simply earlier than the break as Estupinan flicked residence Angelo Preciado’s shot from the sting of the field, however Jackson Porozo was deemed to be interfering with goalkeeper Andries Noppert’s view because it went in, and the purpose was dominated out for offside.

But Ecuador have been to not be denied the equaliser after 49 minutes, as Noppert may solely palm Estupinan’s shot into the trail of Valencia, who had the liberty of the six-yard field to prod into an empty web. Again there was a VAR test for offside, however the striker was comfortably on.

The South Americans nearly accomplished a turnaround on 59 minutes because the ball fell to Gonzalo Plata within the field and he thundered one off the crossbar earlier than it bounced clear. Noppert was effectively overwhelmed.

An glorious second half ended with actual concern for Ecuador, nevertheless, as Valencia was pressured off injured on a stretcher.

Gakpo shines however Dutch lack high quality moreover

Gakpo opened the scoring once more for Netherlands – simply as he did within the opener – with a really totally different kind of purpose than his first of the match.

It confirmed the vary of his expertise and why he’s rising as one of many stars in Qatar, however the concern for the Dutch and Louis van Gaal would be the lack of high quality they’ve round him.

Steven Berwign and Davy Klaassen have been ineffectual, whereas Memphis Depay did not look fully match match when he got here off the bench for the second half. Unless your title is Diego Maradona, one man can not win a World Cup.

Player of the match – Pervis Estupinan

He thought he scored the equaliser on the finish of the primary half, solely to be denied by the offside flag, however his strike created the leveller ultimately as Valencia capitalised on his effort being saved.

The Brighton wing-again was additionally a menacing presence together with his marauding runs down the left as Ecuador opened up within the second half. For people who weren’t already conscious of him, the 24-yr-outdated seems one more shrewd addition by the Premier League membership as a substitute for Marc Cucurella following his departure to Chelsea.

What does the end result imply?

The end result eradicated Qatar from the competitors. Netherlands want some extent in opposition to the hosts to progress to the final 16. Should they obtain that then it is going to be a straight combat between Ecuador and Senegal for the opposite spot. Ecuador solely want a draw, whereas Senegal would require a victory to progress.