European giants the Netherlands failed to make an early strike count after South American underdog Ecuador fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Khalifa International Stadium as the Netherlands stumbled in their bid to become the first nation to qualify for the knockout stage.
An earlier 3-1 win by Senegal over hosts Qatar puts Group A back into heavy contention after the draw now sees three nations having it all to play for on the final day of group play while Qatar becomes the first host nation in World Cup history to be eliminated from the tournament after just two matches, and just the second to never make the knockout stage.
What a performance from Ecuador in that second half 👏#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/yb9iRFOnrb
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 25, 2022
It was another frustrating performance from the Netherlands under Louis van Gaal as a nation that has reached three finals in its illustrious football history but has struggled to remain at the forefront of UEFA, with 2022 viewed as a chance for the nation’s profile to return to more dizzying heights.
Full credit should be given to Ecuador who busted out of the gates after the half-time interval despite going 1-0 down courtesy of a lovely strike from PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo just six minutes into proceedings when the 23-year-old found himself in enough space just outside the area to unleash a bullet into the top corner at the near post, with many thinking the route could be on as many expected the Dutch to improve on their opening match performance against Aliou Cissé’s Senegal.
Ecuador talisman Enner Valencia popped up once again in service of his country just four minutes after the restart with a poacher’s finish from close range to draw the combatants level, with Gustavo Alfaro’s El Tri remaining on the front foot for the remainder of the contest as the CONMEBOL outfit dominated their UEFA counterparts in all phases of play while carving out 15 shots while keeping the Netherlands to a paltry two.
Concerns will come in the vein of Valencia’s removal just before full-time due to injury when he was stretchered off the pitch, but it was a performance that Ecuador should be immensely proud of and now need just a draw to advance to the next round in a very intriguing last day clash against the reigning African champions.
📰 Table Of Contents
Netherlands Player Ratings
- Andries Noppert (GK): 7
- Jurriën Timber (RCB): 7
- Virgil van Dijk (CB): 6.5
- Nathan Aké (LCB): 6.5
- Denzel Dumfries (RWB): 6.5
- Daley Blind (LWB): 6.5
- Teun Koopmeiners (CM): 7
- Frenkie de Jong (CM): 7
- Davy Klaassen (CAM): 6.5
- Cody Gakpo (RF): 7
- Steven Bergwijn (LF): 6
- Memphis Depay (Sub): 6
- Steven Berghuis (Sub): 6
- Wout Weghorst (Sub): 6
- Martin de Roon (Sub): 6
Ecuador Player Ratings
- Hernán Galíndez (GK): 6.5
- Angelo Preciado (RB): 7
- Jackson Porozo (RCB): 7
- Félix Torres (CB): 7
- Piero Hincapié (LCB): 7
- Pervis Estupiñán (LB): 7
- Gonzalo Plata (RM): 7
- Jhegson Méndez (CM): 6.5
- Moisés Caicedo (CM): 6.5
- Enner Valencia (LM): 7
- Michael Estrada (CF): 6.5
- Jeremy Sarmiento (Sub): 6
- Kevin Rodríguez (Sub): 6
- Romario Ibarra (Sub): 6
Social Media
The maths are simple for the Netherlands, win today and they are through to the last-16.
Ecuador will be almost there if they get the victory, ahead of facing Senegal on the final Group A matchday.
LIVE: https://t.co/y0Ot3Dg9Qv#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 | #NED #ECU
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 25, 2022
Louis van Gaal’s #NED are looking to make it two wins from two.
While #ECU are hoping to build on their opening game win against Qatar.
Follow the action with our live blog ⤵️#FIFAWorldCup
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 25, 2022
Cody Gakpo was hot property in August and his stock has only risen since.
The attacker opened the scoring for the #NED in their first #FIFAWorldCup game, enhancing his profile on the biggest stage of all.
Here’s why he’s in demand…
➡️ https://t.co/2GoIc9mULC pic.twitter.com/XsdMmXinNF
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 25, 2022
Cody Gakpo has 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV this season.
Now he’s putting in work on the world stage 🇳🇱🔥 pic.twitter.com/PDmGReBPUp
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 25, 2022
Last summer Erik ten Hag wanted to sell Cristano Ronaldo, and sign Cody Gakpo. He knew. #MUFC
— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) November 25, 2022
Pervis Estupiñán thought he had equalised at the death of the first half, but the offside flag ruined his celebrations! 😬 🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/2QZ4wSPgKM
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 25, 2022
Right, who’s signing Enner Valencia in January?
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) November 25, 2022
6 – Enner #Valencia 🇪🇨 has scored each of Ecuador’s last 6 goals at the #FIFAWorldCup. He is just the 4th player ever to score 6 consecutive goals for a nation in the competition, along with Eusébio 🇵🇹 in 1966, Paolo Rossi 🇮🇹 in 1982 and Oleg Salenko 🇷🇺 in 1994. Flag.#NEDECU pic.twitter.com/MtoZw6fxmA
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) November 25, 2022
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia was carried off on a stretcher following an apparent injury.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/R1jiVBBvTU
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 25, 2022
