Status: 11/25/2022 7:25 p.m
The Netherlands take an early lead against Ecuador but lose control of the game and are held to a draw. A win would have meant qualifying for the round of 16, but even so the chances are good. For both teams.
Bonds coach Louis van Gaal said he had a great future ahead of his striker Cody Gakpo before the game against Ecuador. “He’s a player with a lot of talent, but he’s very young. I don’t know if he’ll become a star here. But he has the potential. He can become a star.” And Gakpo, 23, didn’t take long to prove why his coach thinks highly of him. Only six minutes were played when he gave the Netherlands the lead with a dry left-footed shot. The fact that Gakpo’s second tournament goal was only enough to make it 1-1 (1-0) was mainly due to Ecuador’s Enner Valencia, who scored his third goal (49th) at this World Cup.
Due to the draw, both teams have four points after two games and can move into the round of 16 with a draw in the last group game. The Netherlands will play Qatar (29/11, 4 p.m. CET), while Ecuador will play Senegal (29/11, 4 p.m. CET).
Ecuador’s goal does not count according to video evidence
Gakpo had already scored the first goal in the 2-0 win over Senegal. However, Van Gaal warned that it would be even harder for his team against the Ecuadorians. And he was right. The South Americans didn’t let themselves be unsettled by the early deficit, on the contrary. With their aggressive and lively style of play, they posed problems for the Dutch. Enner Valencia, who had scored both goals in the 2-0 win against Qatar, came close to equalizing after half an hour when he made a quick move and fired from 18 metres. Andries Noppert in goal for the Netherlands saved the shot. Shortly before the break, the Ecuadorians cheered, but only briefly. After a corner, Pervis Estupinan hit with a long-range shot. Jackson Porozo was offside and also in the field of view of goalkeeper Noppert. The VAR intervened, the goal didn’t count.
Enner Valencia with his third tournament goal
The second half was less than five minutes old when the Dutchman again complained about being offside. This time, however, wrongly. Valencia was not in the forbidden zone when he made it 1-1 (49th). Noppert had previously only let a shot bounce off, Valencia only had to push in. Ecuador were the better team from then on and were unlucky not to take the lead. Gonzalo Plata hit the crossbar after just under an hour with a powerful left-footed shot.
Valencia’s knee is worrying all of Ecuador
The Netherlands struggled to get the game under control. Ecuador were closer to victory without creating any more high-profile opportunities. So it remained at 1: 1, in which the Dutch in particular could not meet expectations. Bitter for the Ecuadorians: Shortly before the end, Valencia had to be treated for a long time on their right knee and finally substituted. He already had problems with his knee against Qatar. It is questionable whether Ecuador’s top star can play in the last group game.
Source: sportschau.de