June 08, (THEWILL) – It took Wout Weghorst’s injury-time header to give the Netherlands a thrilling 2-1 Nations League victory over Wales in Cardiff in their late Wednesday fixture.
In their first match after annihilating Belgium in Brussels, the Netherlands implemented drastic adjustments. Virgil van Dijk was absent due to Louis van Gaal’s decision to allow him rest, however Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong were among the replacements.
Teun Koopmeiners’ opening goal of the match remained the only goal in the tie before Rhys Norrington-Davies headed home in the 92nd minute to cancel out the Dutch lead. It was a goal that appeared to have secured at least a point for the hosts late in injury time.
However, Weghorst came up with a more deciding header of his own when he leapt high in the box to head Tyrell Malacia’s cross home just two minutes later, giving the Oranje their second win in a row and putting them top of Group 3 in League A of the Nations League tournament.
That frenzied finish to an otherwise unremarkable match provides more than enough food for thought for coaches Louis van Gaal and Rob Page ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year. Wales had not lost at home since November 2018, but the dramatic ending to the game could have beaten any side.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
