Weghorst Scores Late As Netherlands Defeat Poland

Netherlands secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Poland in Hamburg.

The absence of Poland’s star striker Robert Lewandowski was a significant factor in the match, as the Dutch side, led by coach Ronald Koeman, looked to capitalize on this opportunity from the early stages.

The Netherlands started brightly, with Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders testing Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny in the first minutes.

However, it was Poland who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, as Adam Buksa rose highest to head in Piotr Zielinski’s corner kick, giving them an unexpected lead. The Dutch responded swiftly, with Gakpo equalizing with a deflected strike just before the half-hour mark.

The second half saw both teams pushing for a decisive advantage. The Netherlands dominated possession and created several chances, but it was a late goal from Wout Weghorst that sealed the victory for the Oranje.

Nathan Aké’s precise pass found Weghorst in space, and the striker made no mistake with a clinical finish past Szczęsny.

Despite Poland’s efforts to find an equalizer in the closing stages, the Dutch defense held firm, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen making crucial saves to preserve the lead.

The win marked a solid start for the Netherlands, showing their attacking capabilities and resilience in a challenging encounter.

For Poland, the defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in the absence of their key players, while the Netherlands’ victory signals their intent to contend for the European crown once again.