Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo proved to be the hero for the Netherlands, converting a dramatic 98th-minute penalty to secure a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in a chaotic final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup.
The Oranje desperately required a morale boost following a shock 1-0 defeat to Algeria on home soil in Rotterdam last week, where a late Anis Hadj Moussa strike stunned Ronald Koeman’s side.
While the Dutch returned to winning ways against Fabio Cannavaro’s outfit in New York on Monday, the performance was far from smooth sailing.
The fixture proved highly significant for the Anfield contingent. According to LiverpoolFC.com, all three Reds players selected for the tournament squad. Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Virgil van Dijk completed the full 90 minutes.
For Gakpo, the evening carried extra personal significance, with FotMob noting that the match marked his milestone 50th international appearance for his country.
Injury setbacks and late drama in New York
The drama began before kick-off. As reported by the NL Times, the Netherlands suffered a devastating blow when Jurrien Timber sustained an injury that ruled him out of the entire World Cup tournament.
His vacancy in the squad went to Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida, a player frequently linked with a move to Liverpool.
Once under way, the Dutch took control and opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark. Gakpo calmly netted his first penalty of the evening following a dominant opening spell. Van Dijk nearly doubled the advantage shortly after, sending a powerful header narrowly wide of the post.
The second half brought further complications for Koeman. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen limped off with an injury, and substitute Guus Til received a straight red card for handball in the 86th minute following a lengthy VAR review
Uzbekistan capitalised on the numerical advantage, striking a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time. However, the game had one final twist.
In the 98th minute, the referee awarded the Netherlands a second penalty. Gakpo stepped up to drill home the winner, sparking furious protests from the Uzbek players who claimed the Liverpool forward had illegally halted his momentum during the run-up.
The perfect boost after an Anfield struggle
Despite the collective questions surrounding the Oranje ahead of their Group Stage opener against Japan on Sunday, the match provides a massive individual lift for Gakpo. Alongside his two goals, the 27-year-old registered four key passes and created a major opening for his side.
The performance serves as the ideal tonic for the winger following a challenging domestic campaign at Anfield. Gakpo faced heavy scrutiny during the club season, managing nine goals across 52 appearances.
While Gakpo stole the headlines, his Liverpool teammates provided a solid foundation. Sofascore statistics highlighted quietly effective displays from Van Dijk and Gravenberch, who won a combined 11 out of 15 duels, contributed 15 defensive actions, and both surpassed a 90% passing accuracy rate.
Koeman will hope this dramatic victory galvanises his squad, with Liverpool fans tracking the trio closely in anticipation of a deep tournament run and an injury-free return to Merseyside.
This match-winning performance is exactly the confidence tonic Gakpo needed. If he carries this ruthless edge into the tournament, it bodes incredibly well for his incoming pre-season under Andoni Iraola.
