This Sunday, it was the turn of the "tulips" to go down to the field and play, in this first challenge for Euro 2024, in front of Poland.
Both of these national teams had something in common on the eve of this European: absences due to injuries.
The Netherlands lost their two best midfielders De Jong and Koopmeiners, as well as striker Brobei, while the Poles lost Lewandowski and Juventus striker Milik for the first two games.
The headliner at the top of the attack in this match was Buksa, a footballer who is active in the Turkish Super League. But it was precisely this striker who sent Poland ahead in the 16th minute, after a precise header, after the corner kick.
The Netherlands, however, did not panic and immediately looked for a reaction, trying in two moments with its main striker, Memphis Deepay, but to no avail.
However, the offensive of the "tulips" was rewarded in the 29th minute, when a shot by Gakpo from outside the area was deflected causing the ball to stop in the net, giving no opportunity to react to the goalkeeper of Juventus, Szczesny.
3 minutes from the end of the first half, the Netherlands came very close to the advantage goal, with Gakpo from right near the opposing goal not being coordinated properly, after a perfect pass from the left by Ake.
The second half started again with the more aggressive Poles, who went near the goal with Zilinski. In this part, the technician of the "tulips" also activated the striker Weghorst and Malen and it was the former Manchester United striker, Wout Weghorst, who only needed 2 minutes of the game to take advantage of a carelessness inside the Polish area, to push the ball in the net.
The Netherlands takes the first three points, waiting for the next challenge of Group D, the one that will be played on Monday, between Austria and France.