Cody Gakpo scored twice, including a 97th-minute penalty, to lead the Netherlands to a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in a pre-World Cup friendly at Manhattan’s Icahn Stadium on Monday. The dramatic win provides the Dutch side with vital momentum ahead of their opening Group F match against Japan in Arlington this weekend. The fixture, staged in the East Harlem neighborhood, serves as a critical final testing ground for Ronald Koeman’s tactical setup before the tournament begins in the United States.
Gakpo’s Late Penalty Brace Secures Dutch Win
The match, held behind closed doors at the Icahn Stadium in Manhattan, was defined by high-stakes tension and clinical execution from Cody Gakpo. The forward opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, converting a penalty after Crysencio Summerville was fouled inside the box following a driving run through the central channel. While the Dutch appeared to be in control during the first half, the match took a chaotic turn late in the second half as the tempo increased and the tactical discipline of both sides was tested.
The Netherlands were reduced to 10 men when Guus Til received a red card for a handball violation, a decision that forced the Dutch into a more defensive shape to protect their narrow lead. This numerical disadvantage allowed Uzbekistan to strike back deep into stoppage time, as Igor Sergeev found the net with a close-range shot to level the score in the 90+3rd minute. However, the equalizer was short-lived. In the 97th minute, Jan Paul van Hecke was fouled in the area, resulting in a second penalty for the hosts. Gakpo stepped up once more, drilling the ball home to deny the Uzbeks a historic draw and secure the victory.
For Uzbekistan, this performance marks a significant milestone as they prepare for their first-ever appearance at the World Cup finals. Despite the loss, the ability of players like Abdukodir Khusanov—who has established himself as a key defender in France’s Ligue 1—to maintain intensity for the full 90 minutes suggests a squad capable of competing on the world stage. Their Group K campaign begins on Thursday, June 18, against Colombia, where they will face a similarly high-intensity attacking unit.
Liverpool Stars Lead Netherlands’ Preparation
The Dutch tactical setup relied heavily on experienced Premier League talent. According to the Reds’ No.18 and his teammates, three Liverpool players—Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Virgil van Dijk—all started and finished the fixture. The presence of Van Dijk in the heart of the defense and Gravenberch in the transition phase provided the stability required to navigate a period of man-advantage adversity in the closing stages of the match.
Midfield presence was also bolstered by Tijjani Reijnders, who featured for the full 90 minutes. Reijnders, a primary playmaker for AC Milan, nearly made a more significant impact earlier in the match, testing the Uzbek defense with a 13th-minute header and a subsequent shot that narrowly missed the target. As the Netherlands looks to build on their historical legacy as World Cup finalists in 1974, 1978, and 2010, these high-level performances are essential for Ronald Koeman’s squad as they prepare for their Group F schedule.
| Team | Opponent | Date | Kick-off (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Japan | Sunday, June 14 | 21.00 |
| France | Senegal | Tuesday, June 16 | 20.00 |
| Uzbekistan | Colombia | Thursday, June 18 | 03.00 |
Michael Olise Powers France Through Final Warm-up
While the drama unfolded in New York, France secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. The match served as a sentimental milestone for Didier Deschamps, marking his final game in charge on home soil. The French side ensured a victorious send-off for their manager, driven largely by the clinical form of Michael Olise, who has recently completed a high-profile move to Bayern Munich.
The Bayern Munich attacker showcased his international pedigree by netting a hat-trick, a feat that solidifies his position in the French attacking rotation. Olise broke the deadlock two minutes before the halftime interval, wearing down Northern Ireland’s defense with persistent movement. He doubled the lead with a superb 18-yard strike just four minutes after the restart, finding the corner with precision. Although Patrick Kelly pulled one back for Northern Ireland in the 64th minute, Olise responded with a stunning effort ten minutes later to secure his first international treble.
Rayan Cherki also saw action, entering the match as a second-half substitute and coming close to adding to the French tally through his ability to operate between the lines. France will now shift their focus to their Group I opener against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16. The efficiency shown by Olise provides Deschamps with significant attacking depth heading into a tournament where France will face high-level competition in their group.
