Valencia and Ecuador train ahead of Netherlands test in World Cup Group A
A place in the last 16 is on offer for the winning team when Ecuador and the Netherlands meet in Group A this afternoon. The South American side impressively defeated Qatar 2-0 in the opening match of World Cup 2022 and know that a second victory today would see them safely into the knockout rounds. The same can be said of the Netherlands who left it late in their opener against Senegal before eventually collecting all three points.
Enner Valencia was the man of the moment for Ecuador, scoring both goals in Al Khor, and delivering a commanding centre forward performance. He’s also the captain of the side and will need to match his previous display should his team have hopes of defeating the Dutch this afternoon.
Louis van Gaal’s side shared their goals with lauded attacker Cody Gakpo and midfielder Davy Klaassen late goalscorers against Senegal on Monday. The European team are favoured to progress quite far at this tournament after missing the 2018 edition and securing knockout football with a game to go will see them live up to their pre-tournament hype.
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World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
75 mins: First sub for Ecuador – Estrada OFF, Sarmiento ON
Quite late for their first substitution…. but why change it when they’re playing so well I suppose?!
(AFP via Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:35
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
74 mins: Gakpo is played through on goal… he looks well offside… but his chip skids wide.
A good four yards offside. Just call it immediately.
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:34
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
69 mins: Netherlands with their second change – Davy Klassen comes off for Steven Berghuis.
20 or so minutes left for either team to find a winner here!
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:29
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
66 mins: Neat build-up from the Netherlands who finally find some rhythm in attack – but Teun Koopmeiners’ shot is wayward and high over the bar!
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:26
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
64 mins: Terrific game this – Ecuador remain on the front foot!
Netherlands all over the place at the back. Valencia beats his man on the left and squeezes a ball into the box, but Nathan Ake does well to block Michael Estrada’s mishit shot!
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:24
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
59 mins: Ecuador hit the bar!
Van Dijk does well to block the first shot but then Ecuador’s Gonzalo Plata rifles a fierce left-foot curler onto the crossbar – and Noppert was beaten!
Netherlands on the ropes – they need to wake up here!
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:20
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
58 mins: Cody Gakpo by far and away Holland’s leading man – he powerfully rides a few challenges before he’s hauled down just inside the Ecuador half.
Yellow card for Ecuador’s Jhegson Mendez for an earlier clip on Memphis Depay – his second booking means he misses the final group match against Senegal.
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:18
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
54 mins: Big test now for this Netherlands team – they’ve conceded their first goal of the tournament and it’s time for their midfield and attack to come to the fore.
Because, currently, they’re being largely dominated by a very strong Ecuador team!
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:15
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
49 mins: Ecuador equalise – and it counts this time!
It’s Enner Valencia again! He taps in after Noppert saves from Pervis Estupiñán’s fierce shot – and he’s onside with Nathan Ake playing him on!
A deserved goal for the South Americans! All-square at the Khalifa!
Lovely all-squad celebration too!
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:09
World Cup 2022: Netherlands 1-0 Ecuador
SECOND-HALF: Second-half is underway at the Khalifa International Stadium!
The Netherlands make a change at the break: Memphis Depay comes on for Steven Bergwijn.
Kieran Jackson25 November 2022 17:06
