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Late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen gave the Netherlands a 2-0 win over Senegal in their 2022 World Cup return at the Al Thumama Stadium on Monday.
The Dutch men had produced a lacklustre performance in their first World Cup match since the 2014 tournament in Brazil but secured all three points.
With just six minutes of regulation time left on the clock, Gakpo raced into the box and rose in front of Edouard Mendy to meet Frenkie de Jong’s cross with a header to break the deadlock.
Louis van Gaal’s side were not convincing, but they had a second goal deep into stoppage time when Klaassen slotted home right at the end of a disappointing Group A contest.
Back on the biggest stage after missing out on qualification for Russia 2018, the Oranje started with a point to prove.
In an open start, that eagerness saw the Dutch create the first opportunity, with midfielder De Jong dallying in front of the goal and being prevented from getting a shot away on the break.
Steven Berghuis then fired an effort over the crossbar just over five minutes before the break, with Youssouf Sabaly mustering the only shot on target of the first half in response.
Van Gaal turned to Memphis Depay, who had been deemed not fit enough to start, with the need for a game-changing spark around the hour mark.
It was Gakpo who came up with the elusive opening goal with time running out, though, nipping in ahead of Mendy to meet De Jong’s delivery and nod beyond the Senegal keeper
Klaassen then sealed the win deep into stoppage time, applying a simple finish after Mendy could only palm Depay’s tame shot into his path.
Senegal were noticeably missing the presence of Sadio Mane who was ruled out for sustaining a late injury.
After Ecuador eased to a 2-0 triumph over hosts Qatar on Sunday, the Netherlands sit level on points with the South American nation ahead of their showdown on Friday.
Senegal sensed an opportunity to equalise when eight minutes of added-on time were indicated, but Davy Klaasen made sure of the points in the final seconds.
Senegal went straight onto the offensive and a low long-range effort from Pape Gueye forced Noppert to scramble to his left to tip the ball wide.
As Senegal pushed further forward, more space opened up at the opposite end of the pitch, and the Netherlands capitalised to net the second goal in the ninth minute of added-on time.
