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Cody Gakpo scored and excited on the left wing for the Netherlands as Virgil van Dijk’s side beat Poland 2-1 at Euro 2024.
Manager Ronald Koeman opted to field two of Liverpool’s three players in the Netherlands squad, predictably leaving Ryan Gravenberch on the bench.
Somewhat surprisingly, Van Dijk’s partner is Stefan de Vrij, who beat Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven from Tottenham at the start.
On the right of center forward, Denzel Dumfries started in place of Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida.
Sometimes you just need a little luck…
Cody Gakpo in the right place at the right time for Holland. #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #MONDAY pic.twitter.com/WFHZtaq914
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 16, 2024
The biggest threat from Holland came through Liverpool’s Gakpo, who caused constant problems down the left, often creating chances for Memphis Depay.
Gakpo went close early on when he drilled a shot towards the near post. He had a great opportunity later in the half, when he jumped from a little over six meters.
However, it was actually underdogs Poland who took the lead, thanks to Adam Buks’ header from Piotr Zielinski’s corner.
Van Dijk almost immediately hit back from the corner, but his sweet volley was too close to the keeper.
The work of the Netherlands paid off in the 29th minute when Gakpo’s shot from distance took a dangerous deflection and beat Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
With the score at 1-1, Koeman threw more reds into the mix, bringing on Gini Wijnaldum for the yellow-carded Joey Veerman in the 62nd minute.
????? Level in Hamburg on break…#EURO2024 | #MONDAY pic.twitter.com/TiKn1qG6Vb
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 16, 2024
18 minutes later, Gakpo and Depay were replaced by Wout Weghorst and Liverpool-linked Bayer Leverkusen winger Jeremie Frimpong.
It didn’t take long for tournament specialist Weghorst to make an impression, scoring his team’s second just two minutes after entering the field.
With Gakpo playing brilliantly on the left during the first half, Liverpool fans were excited about what the next season could bring.
Gakpo is such an obvious left winger that it’s really bizarre that he barely played for us.
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) June 16, 2024
Gakpo and international tournaments. I don’t know what it is, but he loves it.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) June 16, 2024
Look how good Gakpo looks playing on the left
It’s almost like you’re playing players in their natural position and they’re doing wonders
He’s going to break it for us next season
— Tom Little (@TomL1ttle_) June 16, 2024
Gakpo was absolutely brilliant on the left! What a deserved goal.
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) June 16, 2024
Cody Gakpo as a left tackle is the way to go #euro2024 #LFC
— Charlotte Coates (@CACoates96) June 16, 2024
Just look at how comfortable Gakpo looks on the left. Everything he does is second nature – just play to his strengths and everything will follow
— GakpoFC (@GakpoFC) June 16, 2024
An impressive half from Gakpo, although he should have scored the second, and more evidence of arguably his best position, on the left side of attack. Holland the better side, but wasteful with the chances created by their good build-up. Another open competition. #MONDAY #Euro2024
— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) June 16, 2024
Next up for Van Dijk and co. is a tough game against France at Red Bull Arena RB Leipzig. He will face Ibrahim Konate there if he is selected to start.
That match kicks off at 20:00 (BST) on June 21.
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