Wout Weghorst came off the bench in the 81st minute to secure Netherlands an opening victory in Group D.
Wout Weghorst stuck the Netherlands’ winner
Key moments
2′: Gakpo shot forces Szczęsny save
16′: Buksa heads in opener
20′: Van Dijk long-range volley denied
29′: Gakpo levels via deflection
54′: Simons fires wide
83′: Substitute Weghorst clinches win
Match in brief: Super sub Weghorst strikes late
Buksa wheels aways in delight
Wojciech Szczęsny was called into immediate action when Cody Gakpo’s drilled effort inside two minutes set the tone at Volksparkstadion.
A direct approach from the Netherlands seemed to have caught a hesitant Poland off guard, as their long balls from deep targeted the heart of the Eagles’ back line.
More Dutch pressure ensued, Tijjani Reijnders dragging wide following a slick combination with Jerdy Schouten, and yet Poland stayed resolute, gained a foothold and promptly claimed the lead when Adam Buksa outjumped Denzel Dumfries to glance in an excellent Piotr Zieliński corner.
The Netherlands celebrate their equaliser
The Oranje responded. Virgil van Dijk unleashed a volley from the edge of the area, requiring Szczęsny – the first Polish goalkeeper to appear at four EUROs – to parry, before Memphis Depay twice went close.
Michał Probierz’s side, unable to deploy the injured Robert Lewandowski, were brought back to level terms just before the half-hour when Gakpo’s strike from distance deflected past Szczęsny. Moments before half-time, Depay engineered a chance to edge the Netherlands ahead, but failed to steer his effort on target.
Depay was a constant threat
Xavi Simons and Depay mustered several quick opportunities as the Ojanje were quick out of traps in the second half.
In return, Poland mounted a double attack, with Jakub Kiwior and Zieliński both testing Bart Verbruggen as Probierz’s team enjoyed perhaps their best spell.
However, as the match appeared to be headed for a draw, 81st-minute substitute Wout Weghorst latched onto Nathan Aké’s delivery and turn in the winner two minutes later.
A disappointing end for Poland, but persistence – and Ronald Koeman’s replacements – paid off for the Dutch who claimed the first victory from an lively encounter in Group D.
Vivo Player of the Match: Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
He was positive in one-on-one situations, especially in the first half. He worked well with Aké throughout the match and ultimately scored the first goal. He was a clear threat in behind with his stature and pace. He made the difference for the Netherlands, especially in the first half.
Piotr Koźmiński, Poland reporter
Although they will be disappointed not to have held out for a point, it was quite a good performance from Poland today. Not many expected Probierz’s side – playing without Lewandowski – to take on the Netherlands in the way they did. It looked like it would pay off until Weghorst’s late intervention. Nevertheless, things look promising ahead of the game against Austria.
Derek Brookman, Netherlands reporter
The Netherlands come from behind to make a winning start. It looked like they would have to settle for a draw, having lacked tempo at times and found Szczęsny in fine form. The Oranje lacked a clinical edge, but Weghorst climbed off the bench to score the winner and complete the turnaround.
Key stats
Weghorst celebrates the winner
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Poland in all competitions (D5 L7). Their last defeat was a 2-0 home win in EURO 1980 qualifying.
- Netherlands have now beaten 18 different nations at a European Championship. Only Germany have beaten more (19).
- Poland have won just two of their 15 matches at the tournament (excluding shoot-outs), with both victories coming in the 2016 group stage (D7 L6).
- Wojciech Szczęsny is the first player to appear in four EURO final tournaments for Poland (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024).
- Aged 21 years and 303 days, Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen became the youngest goalkeeper to appear at a EURO since Spain’s José Ángel Iribar (21 years and 108 days) in 1964.
- Cody Gakpo has scored in four successive major tournament group matches for the Netherlands (three in the 2022 World Cup and one at EURO 2024).
- This match was the first-ever meeting between Poland and Netherlands at a major tournament.
Line-upsPoland: Szczęsny; Bednarek, Salamon (Bereszyński 86), Kiwior; Frankowski, Zieliński (Piotrowski 78), Romanczuk (Slisz 55), Zalewski; Urbański (Świderski 55), Buksa, S. Szymański (Moder 46)
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké (Van de Ven 87); Schouten, Reijnders, Veerman (Wijnaldum 62); Simons (Malen 62), Depay (Weghorst 81), Gakpo (Frimpong 81)