The Dutch team had to come back for some time, but they beat Canada in the second half on Thursday evening. Jeremy Frimpong scored his first goal for the Dutch national team, and Wout Weghorst, Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay all scored precise goals against De Kuip.
The national coach started the match with a number of surprising names. Ryan Gravenberch, Brian Proby, Fremong and others started. Daley Blind wore the captain's armband. Before the match, Ronald Koeman told NOS that Nathan Ake is the second captain, after first captain Van Dijk. Frenkie de Jong is the third captain. If a fourth captain is needed, the player with the most caps will be the captain.
Tough start
The match started tough. Both teams created small chances, but neither team became truly dangerous. About fifteen minutes before the end of the first half, the Dutch team became more dangerous. Georginio Wijnaldum, Brobbey and Frimpong had several chances to score the opening goal.
Canada got really dangerous for once. Kyle Larin fired a shot wide of the goal from a few metres. In extra time, Broby had another opportunity to go one-on-one after a wonderful pass from Memphis, but the Ajax player shot the ball past goalkeeper Dane St. Clair.
Frimpong introduces himself
After the break, things immediately looked better for the unchanged Dutch team. Frimpong delivered an accurate cross that Memphis pushed past St. Clair. In his third international match, it was the first time Frimpong had been involved in scoring a goal. Frimpong impressed against Canada, and less than ten minutes later the 23-year-old scored his first goal for the Netherlands.
Captain Minute
This was the go-ahead for Koeman's side, who shortly afterwards brought in Steven Bergwijn, Wout Weghorst and Donyiel Malen. The attackers did not have to enter. Malen shot on goal, Canada had trouble clearing the ball and Weghorst scored with his first touch.
Then it was quiet for a while, until Commander Van Dijk scored. The Liverpool defender did not actually intend to play, but he had previously indicated his desire to play. Koeman wasn't the most difficult, so he was rewarded for that. Van Dijk scored a goal with his head from a corner kick.
Watch the European Championship matches here. The Dutch national team will play its first match in the European Championship on June 16.
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