The Netherlands scored two late goals to overcome a spirited Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Monday.
The second Group A game of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup was a nervy encounter for most parts.
The Dutch team however showed their class as Cody Gapko and Davy Klaassen scored late in the encounter, thanks to Edouard Mendy’s mistakes between the sticks.
The hard-fought victory ensures Louis Van Gaal’s men begin their quest for glory on the global stage with a win.
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Senegal, missing Sadio Mane, their injured talismanic forward, looked to Ismaila Sarr for inspiration and the Watford winger was involved in the Teranga Lions’ best chances, including two tame shots.
Aliou Cisse’s side also lost defender Cheikhou Kouyate to injury but Idrissa Gueye went closest to scoring before the Dutch pounced late on as Mendy unravelled spectacularly.
The recently deposed Chelsea shot-stopper had a rush of blood to try and claim Frenkie de Jong’s cross but Gapko was quicker and rose highest to expertly guide a header into the back of the net to take the lead.
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The 30-year-old made a worse error deep into injury time, fumbling a tame Memphis Depay shot that allowed Klaassen to slot in the rebound for a 2-0 victory.
Netherlands join Ecuador at the top of Group A on three points each, while Senegal are level on points with hosts Qatar.
Earlier, England began their quest for a first World Cup title since 1966 with a 6-2 thrashing of a rebellious Iran team, with Bukayo Saka, the winger of Nigerian heritage, scoring a brace.
Wonderkid Jude Bellingham had opened the floodgates with a well-taken strike before Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish added further goals. Mehdi Taremi, Iran striker, scored both consolation goals for the crisis-torn Asian country.
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RESULTS
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
England 6-2 Iran
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