Cody Gakpo scored both goals as the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan 2-1 before the World Cup, but Jeremie Frimpong still misses out despite a new right-back injury.
Gakpo was among those to misfire in the Netherlands’ final pre-tournament friendly on home soil last week, but Ronald Koeman kept the Liverpool winger in his starting XI.
Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch also started again as the Dutch took on Uzbekistan in New York, with a 2-1 victory sending them into the World Cup with new momentum.
Though far from the most convincing win, the Netherlands were in control throughout and took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Crysencio Summerville was brought down in the box.
Up stepped Gakpo to convert the penalty, but his side struggled to convert their chances otherwise, with Van Dijk, Summerville and most notably striker Donyell Malen failing to fire.
Guus Til was then sent off late on and Uzbekistan took advantage of their extra man, with Igor Sergeev equalising in stoppage time.
But there was still a chance for Gakpo to seal the win, doing so again from the spot after Jan Paul van Hecke was bundled over in a corner routine – Liverpool’s No. 18 dispatched his second penalty in the sixth minute added on.
Having been voted the second-worst player in the 1-0 loss to Algeria last week, the Dutch media this time praised Gakpo as the standout performer.
Dutch media: Gakpo given top rating vs. Uzbekistan
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. Back row L-R: goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten, captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo. Front row L-R: Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Aké, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Algemeen Dagblad‘s Johan Inan rated Gakpo a 7.5 out of 10, writing: “[He] dispelled the concerns caused by his form at Liverpool and mediocre performance against Algeria.
“Now that his team-mates continue to struggle in front of goal, the hope for results for Oranje rests once again largely on the winger.”
Martijn Krabbendam of Voetbal International gave the winger a team-high 7 out of 10, while he also rated highest in terms of statistics with FotMob scoring him 9.2 out of 10.
Jeremie Frimpong still out of World Cup despite Jurrien Timber exit
Jeremie Frimpong, Netherlands pictured (Joris Verwijst/PA)
The Netherlands were forced to contend with a late withdrawal from their squad for the World Cup after Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber failed to recover from injury.
But despite Frimpong’s availability and experience as right-back for the national team, Koeman saw fit to keep him out, instead calling up Lutsharel Geertruida.
Geertruida was already on standby for the tournament and will join the squad ahead of their Group F clashes with Japan (June 14), Sweden (June 20) and Tunisia (June 26).