The Netherlands and Ecuador ended their second match in group A with a 1-1 draw that leaves the two teams on top of their group at World Cup. It took just five minutes and four seconds for golden boy Cody Gakpo to give the Dutch the lead with 1st goal, then Ecuador striker Enner Valencia scores his team’s goal in the second half. The Associated Press has the story:
The Netherlands and Ecuador share the spoils in 1-1 draw
Newslooks- (AP)
It ends all square between the Netherlands and Ecuador 1-1, leaving the two teams joint-top of Group A on four points each at World Cup.
The Dutch raced into a lead, scoring the quickest goal of the tournament from new star Cody Gakpo’s stellar strike.
But the Oranjewere unable to control the game as the young Ecuador team fought its way back into the game at World Cup.
The Ecuador fans thought that they had equalized right on the stroke of halftime, but were denied by the offside flag before grabbing a deserved equalizer early in the second half through talisman Enner Valencia.
The forward scored his third goal of the tournament when following up on Pervis Estupinan’s shot that was initially saved.
But the evening ended early for Valencia, who was carried off the field on a stretcher. The South American nation will have an anxious wait to see if its captain will be able to continue at the World Cup.
Ecuador ties it against the Netherlands
Ecuador is back in it, and this time the goal counts as captain Enner Valencia strokes home.
The Netherlands are caught in possession and the ball falls to Pervis Estupinan on the edge of the area.
His strike is saved by Andries Noppert but he palmed the ball straight into Valencia’s path, who easily taps in.
The goal takes Valencia to three in the tournament and his total tally to six goals in five World Cup matches.
When the halftime is over, and Ecuador is looking to make up for that goal denial as the Netherlands leads 1-0.
VAR denies apparent Ecuador goal
Ecuador thought they had brought things level just on the stroke of halftime, but were denied by the referee’s whistle.
The Netherlands cleared the initial corner from the South Americans before Angelo Preciado rifled in a strike from the edge of the area that was flicked in by Pervis Estupiñán.
The Brighton fullback wheeled away in celebration, but was stopped short by the linesman’s flag. On review, it was clear that Jackson Porozo was obstructing keeper Andries Noppert’s vision and the goal was rightly disallowed.
Netherlands take a 1-0 lead through Cody Gakpo
It took just five minutes and four seconds for golden boy Cody Gakpo to give the Dutch the lead, and what a goal it was!
After a mix up in the Ecuadorian defense, Davy Klassen laid the ball off for Gakpo. The young winger took a touch before rifling the ball into the top corner at the near post.
It is Gakpo’s second of the tournament and the fastest goal scored so far at World Cup.
