Netherlands 2-1 Uzbekistan: Gakpo scores double & last-minute penalty

Cody Gakpo marked his 50th international appearance by scoring two penalties as Netherlands concluded their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan. 

Match Report 

Gakpo's second spot kick in the 98th minute capped a remarkable ending at Icahn Stadium, which started with Guus Til being sent off three minutes before the full-time whistle. 

Uzbekistan made their man advantage count when Igor Sergeev netted a stoppage-time leveller, only for Gakpo to restore Netherlands' lead from the spot six minutes later. 

Netherlands started brightly and missed two glorious opportunities to open the scoring early on, the first of which saw Donyell Malen fire over the crossbar from close range. 

But after Jakhongir Urozov's poorly timed challenge on Crysencio Summerville inside the box, Gakpo squeezed the resulting spot-kick past Utkir Yusupov in the 32nd minute. 

Ronald Koeman's side continued to push after the break, with Virgil van Dijk heading narrowly wide before Brian Brobbey's goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.

However, Til was sent off for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity after handling the ball outside the penalty area, though he also made contact with his hand inside the box, with referee Alyssa Pennington sending him off and awarding a free-kick after a VAR review. 

Uzbekistan thought they had snatched a draw when the ball broke kindly for Sergeev to prod home in the 92nd minute, but at the other end, Jan Paul van Hecke was pulled back inside the area from a corner by Abdukodir Khusanov, allowing Gakpo to step up and seal the win. 

Netherlands bounce back but still lacking clinical edge

Before jetting off to North America, Netherlands lost their final home match before a major tournament for only the fourth time against Algeria, but they were able to get themselves back on track, albeit with some late drama thrown in, before their Group G opener against Japan this Sunday. 

Ahead of kick-off, Koeman said their clash with Uzbekistan would be used to fine-tune his starting side for the World Cup, though the Netherlands boss was forced to endure a similar story in the final third, as his side struggled to take their opportunities. 

Koeman was particularly critical of Malen's display against Algeria, and the in-form Roma forward struggled again here, missing two big openings before he was replaced by Brobbey in the 65th minute. 

But it was not just Malen who struggled. Netherlands finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 4.62 from their 15 shots, though much of that owed to Gakpo's two penalties, compared to Uzbekistan's tally of 0.99 from their eight attempts. 

Koeman will also be sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who was forced off in the second half with what appeared to be a hip injury following a coming together with Khusanov, though he has a capable deputy in Mark Flekken to call upon if needed. 

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

9' Match Event for Netherlands vs Uzbekistan

15' Highlight from Netherlands vs Uzbekistan

23' Penalty Goal! Netherlands 1-0 Uzbekistan

29' Match Event for Netherlands vs Uzbekistan

52' Match Event for Netherlands vs Uzbekistan

53' Match Event for Netherlands vs Uzbekistan

68' Highlight from Netherlands vs Uzbekistan

87' Red Card! Guus Til sent off

92' GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 Uzbekistan (Igor Sergeev)

Line-ups

Netherlands XI: Van Dijk, Dumfries, De Jong, Gakpo, Malen, Reijnders, Gravenberch, Crysencio Summerville, Jan Paul van Hecke, Bart Verbruggen, Van de Ven

Subs: De Roon, Depay, Ake, Mark Flekken, Weghorst, Koopmeiners, Kluivert, Guus Til, Lang, Quinten Timber, Brian Brobbey, Mats Wieffer, Robin Roefs, Jorrel Hato

Uzbekistan XI: Utkir Yusupov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Otabek Shukurov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Eldor Shomurodov, Oston Urunov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Abdukodir Khusanov, Jakhongir Urozov

Subs: Igor Sergeev, Jamshid Iskanderov, Umar Eshmurodov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Botirali Ergashev, Azizbek Amanov, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Abduvokhid Nematov, Sherzod Temirov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Jasurbek Jaloliddinov, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Umarali Rakhmonaliev, Sherzod Esanov, Bekhruz Karimov