The Oranjes turned the game around against Poland, who were missing Lewandowski. The decisive goal was scored by Pavel Kadeřábek’s teammate

Weghorst, a teammate of Czech defender Pavel Kadeřábek, scored the winner for the Netherlands against Poland 2:1. Our neighbours were missing their injured cannon player Lewandowski, but still led. The duel was turned around by goals from Gakpa and Weghorst.

The first match of Group D of this year’s European Championship pitted teams with a great football tradition against each other. The European champions and three-time world runners-up from the Netherlands played Poland, holders of two world bronzes.

Ronald Koeman fielded Verbruggen, a twenty-one-year-old playing for England’s Brigton. The line-up included traditional mainstays such as captain van Dijk, winger Dumfries and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo. The Poles left the injured Lewandowski on the bench.

Tijjani Reijnders had a great chance right at the start of the match, receiving a great pass in the whitewash, but he shot over Szczesny’s goal. Adam Buksa struck at the other end, with a header after a corner kick.

Weghorst, playing with the Czechs in Hoffenheim, made the decision

The Netherlands raced for an equaliser. Both van Dijk and Memphis Depay had chances, but he missed a beautiful cross from Simons. It was Cody Gakpo who came through, firing a telegraphed shot that nestled into the Polish net.

The second half started again with chances for Gakpo and Depay. Simons also had a good shot. Denzel Dumfries also wanted to make the difference, but Szczesny was again outstanding. Wout Weghorst came on in the 81st minute.

Two minutes later, the Hoffenheim striker ran out to celebrate. In fact, a beautiful pass found Nathan Aké and the thirty-one-year-old forward confirmed his reputation as a killer. Moments later, stopper de Vrij could have increased the score for the Oranjes, but his header missed the target.

The Netherlands thus entered the championship as they had hoped. The Poles will be praying for Lewandowski’s recovery ahead of their next match against Austria on Friday. The Dutch also play France on Friday.

Source: UEFA