The Netherlands won their Group A Fifa World Cup first game against Senegal after scoring two late goals in the dying minutes of the match.
With six minutes remaining, PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo beat Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to the ball, which was chipped in by Frenkie de Jong to put the Dutch ahead.
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Substitute Davy Klaassen then pounced on a rebound from Memphis Depay’s shot to seal the victory deep into stoppage time.
Gakpo whirled away in celebration in front of the Senegal fans behind the goal as the Dutch fans rose to their feet at the other end of the Al Thumama Stadium in a sea of orange.
They were already chanting their team’s name, knowing victory was on the way, when Klaassen sealed it in the ninth and final minute of injury time.
Senegal had threatened throughout the game, and Papa Gueye had fired a finish towards the bottom left corner, but Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert got his fingertips to it.
For long stretches, the game hinted at a goal, but neither side was ruthless. Dutch manager Louis van Gaal even jeopardized Depay’s fitness by bringing him on as a second-half substitute in the hope of finding a way through.
The risk paid off as the Netherlands earned a crucial three points in a game that many believe will determine the Group A winner.
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They are now tied for first place in the group with Ecuador, who defeated hosts Qatar 2-0 on Sunday evening.
Senegal looked like a side missing their main attacking threat during the competition, but the number of times they troubled the Dutch defense should give them confidence.
