The Netherlands won 2-1 against the Republic of Ireland (2-1) in Dublin on Sunday, a narrow success that left them six points behind untouchable Group B leaders France in qualification for Euro 2024 Are. ,
In second place in their group, the Dutch have nine points after four matches, the same number of points as Greece (third, 9 points) who played one more match, as do the Blues of Kylian Mbappe (first, 15 points).
On October 13, the European horizon will take shape more clearly with the visit of the French team to the Netherlands and the reception of Greece, a 5-0 winner in Gibraltar on Sunday, with the Irish (fourth, 3 points) already a long way from first. Two qualifying places.
In Amsterdam, the Dutch will reach the next summit clash against the French World Vice-Champions (who beat them 4–0 in the first leg) with a confident balance sheet, but without much certainty given the performance given in Dublin.
Very timid and uncertain, perhaps even surprised by the opposing commitment, the Orange selection completed its first period at the Aviva Stadium, packed and full of enthusiasm as always. boy in green Get ahead of yourself.
He also did not need to make his opponent scare himself, especially in the first period with dangerous passing circuits as they were not controlled in front of the defence, where even the rock Virgil van Dijk appeared feverish at times.
The Liverpool captain, guilty of handball in the area, gave the Irish a royal start to the match by quickly taking the lead on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty converted by Adam Idah (fourth, 1-0).
The Dutch didn’t have to worry too much as Gavin Bzunu took advantage by hooking in to Denzel Dumfries, who went alone on goal. The responsibility of converting the penalty was of Kodi Gakpo (19th).
At half-time, Ronald Koeman took action with changes to the tactical organization and new signings.
The coach’s motivation worked as the Dutch played better and took the lead especially through Wout Weghorst (56th, 2–1), who had come on in place of Daly Blind ten minutes earlier, and good work in the area by Dumfries. Was served, them again.
The Burnley striker, on loan to Hoffenheim this season, has already demonstrated his “super-sub” (super-substitute) talents with a double and a successful shot during the elimination match against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. Had finished. at goal.
Without earning three points, the Netherlands will face a very slippery autumn. On Sunday, he kept his chances of participating in the next Euros, held in Germany from at least June 14 to July 14, 2024, intact.
Greece against Gibraltar without any problems
Greece, already victorious in the first leg (3-0), scored 5 goals against 0 against Gibraltar, the weakest team of Group B in Athens.
With three wins and two losses, Greece are third in Group B, but level on points (9) with the Netherlands (second) with a game in hand.
Gibraltar are in fifth and last place with five losses in as many matches, having conceded 17 goals and scoring none.
The scorers of the day are Dimitrios Pelakas (9th), West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, author of the double (23rd, 83rd), such as Georgios Masouras (70th, 90+1).
Dominating 3-0 in the Netherlands last Thursday, the team of Uruguayan coach Gustavo Poyet, who was defeated by France (1-0) at the Stade de France on June 19, will play its next match in Ireland on October 13 (with 3 4th) PTS), which it had beaten 2–1 in the first leg in Athens.