Poland 1-2 Netherlands: Weghorst the hero in comeback win for the Dutch

The Netherlands came from behind to beat Poland and start their Euro 2024 campaign with a 2-1 victory in Hamburg.

Substitute Wout Weghorst completed the turnaround for the Oranje late on, having gone behind to Adam Buksa’s early effort.

The Poles would settle quicker than their opponents, and took the lead in the 16th minute as Buska rose highest to meet Piotr Zielinski’s delivery into the box, the third consecutive goal the Netherlands have conceded from a corner kick, as many as in their previous 83 conceded goals.

Despite record top-scorer Robert Lewandowski watching on from the bench, he would have been pleased by his side’s start to the contest as they aimed to secure their first win over their opponents since 1980.

However, Gakpo hauled the Netherlands level with the aid of a deflection from Bartosz Salamon, his effort bouncing over the helpless Wojciech Szczesny.

Both sides continued to exchange blows in their search for an important three points ahead of France’s meeting with Austria in Dusseldorf on Monday.

But with seven minutes of the contest remaining, Weghorst emerged from the bench to score his seventh goal in his last 11 international appearances, finishing smartly after being picked out by Nathan Ake inside the box.

3 – Wout Weghorst is the second @OnsOranje player with three consecutive games in which he came on as a substitute and found the net, after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in 2007-2008 (3). Eager. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/hJhiqHiGDx

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) June 16, 2024

Data Debrief: Weghorst to the rescue as the Netherlands continue Poland streak

Gakpo’s strike took him into double figures for his nation, and he has now scored in each of his last four group stage games at the European Championships and World Cup, becoming the third European player to do so this century, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata.

Poland are now winless in their last 13 meetings with the Netherlands in all competitions (D5 L8), since a 2-0 home win in Euro 1980 qualifying.