World Cup: Disciplined Dutch sock it to Senegal in Group A

IT was always going to be a tight game and that’s how it proved for the first half of the Netherlands versus Senegal encounter.

With the respective midfielders cancelling out each other and well organised defences on both sides, shots at goal were few and far between before the break.

Best opportunity came midway through when Steven Bergwijn’s pinpoint cross landed at the feet of Frenkie de Jong, who dawdled instead of taking the first time shot, and the chance evaporated.

Soon after, Virgil van Dijk headed a strong Senegalese attempt clear of his own goals but within a minute found himself at the opposite end of the field, this time again heading past the post from a Netherlands corner.

Steven Berghuis blasted one over the top as the men in orange began taking control and they went to the change rooms ahead on points, in boxing parlance.

The trend continued on the resumption and it wasn’t long before Van Dijk leapt high to meet a corner only for it to fly above the crossbar.

There was a major surprise when the injured Memphis Depay was brought off the bench for the Netherlands in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Senegal did force Andries Noppert into a good save but their cause was harmed when the solid rock that is Cheikhou Kouyate was stretchered off.

Worse was to follow for the Africans when Frenkie de Jong fed a through ball down the middle.

Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy was slow off his line and reluctant to take physical contact as Cody Gagpo headed the ball into the vacant net (1-0).

Senegal threw everything into the attack in the time remaining, which included eight added minutes, during which a further nail was struck in the coffin as Depay’s curling shot was only partially stopped by Mendy, and Davy Klassen gladly gobbled up the chance to make it 2-0.

Netherlands are off to a flying start and Senegal will have to beat Ecuador to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stage.