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Super-sub Wout Weghorst scored the winner Netherlands defeated Poland 2-1 to start its Euro 2024 campaign on a victorious note. The sides clashed against each other on Sunday, June 16 at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Poland was without its captain and highest goalscorer Robert Lewandowski.
The game saw the Polish squad gain an early lead only 16 minutes into the game when Adam Buksa scored a header. Buksa became the first Polish player to score a first-half goal in the group stages of the Euro since Lewandowski in the 2012 opener.
However, the Dutch counterparts were quick to level the tally just 15 minutes after as Cody Gakpo’s deflected shot found the back of the net. In addition, the Netherlands’ goalkeeper Bart Vernruggen became the youngest Dutch goalkeeper to start a match in the Euro. At the age of 21 years and 303 days, he became the youngest goalkeeper since Jose Angel Iribar, a Spanish footballer in Euro 1964.
Coming back to the game, Poland missed a few opportunities in the second half without Lewandowski, allowing Netherlands’ Weghorst to come up with a goal just two minutes into the game. His 83rd-minute goal helped the side defeat their counterparts with a 2-1 scoreline and start the campaign on a high. In the next match, they will be up against France in a tough contest.
