Cody Gakpo played a crucial role for the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon, scoring in their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Poland at Euro 2024.
Liverpool teammate and club captain Virgil van Dijk led his country out for their Group D opener in Hamburg, completing the full match in central defence.
Despite early dominance in possession, Poland surprised the Dutch by opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Adam Buksa headed in Piotr Zielinski’s corner against the run of play.
The Netherlands responded swiftly just before the half-hour mark, with Gakpo seizing the initiative.
He controlled the ball adeptly, surged forward, and unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box to equalize.
With the match appearing destined for a draw, Gakpo was substituted nine minutes from time.
However, substitute Wout Weghorst turned the game around in the 83rd minute.
Weghorst found space inside the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, securing a crucial victory for his nation.
CODY GAKPO’S IMPRESSIVE RECORD FOR THE NETHERLANDS
Cody Gakpo has set a new record with his landmark goal for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
The 25-year-old extended an impressive streak by scoring in each of the Netherlands’ last four group matches across the European Championship and World Cup tournaments.
This achievement places him as the third European player this century to accomplish this feat, following Portugal’s Ronaldo and Spain’s forward Morata.
During the 2022 World Cup matches against Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar, Gakpo found the net once in each game, contributing significantly to his nation’s top spot finish in Group A.
“I think it was a tough match, [they are] a tough opponent,” Gakpo told UEFA post-match via Liverpoolfc.com.
“They are well organised and obviously they scored first so it was a little bit more difficult.
“I think we created a lot of good opportunities and good chances, but we have to be more clinical.
“Overall, I think we performed really well against them.
“It was a tough match but in the end we won so that’s good.”
He added: “We are a team that never gives up.
“We have good substitutes and that’s what you saw today.
“I think we changed the whole front line and they came in and performed very well so that’s a strength for us as well.”
