Cymru 1-2 Netherlands: Burnley’s Wout Weghorst snatches late win for Oranje

A reshuffled Cymru dropped to the bottom of their UEFA Nations League group as they were defeated 2-1 by a much-changed Netherlands to end their 19-match unbeaten run at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Burnley’s Wout Weghorst scored a stoppage-time winner after Rhys Norrington-Davies had cancelled out Teun Koopmeiners’s 50th-minute opener.

The Oranje made it two wins as many games whilst inflicting a second straight UNL defeat on Rob Page’s men. 

Louis van Gaal’s side rang 11 changes to the side that comfortably beat Belgium 5-1 on Friday meanwhile the Red Dragons made seven from the World Cup play-off win over Ukraine with Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen completely absent.

Belgium bounced back from their heavy defeat to beat Poland 6-1 with a brace from Leandro Trossard and other goals from Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Leander Dendoncker, and Lois Openda that dropped Cymru to the bottom and at risk of relegation. 

PSV’s Jordan Teze was shown a yellow card early on as he blocked Dan James with no attempt to play the ball. 

The hosts had the best chance of the opening quarter but Harry Wilson could only glance a free header wide from a well swung-in corner from James. Moments later, Rhys Norrington-Davies headed over from Chris Mepham’s well-picked ball. 

Wales continued to slightly threaten as Wilson made Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken work with a direct shot on target from a 25-yard free-kick. 

Whilst not a shot, the visitors did almost find a clear roue in at goal but Ben Davies made a last-ditch tackle on wantaway Burnley forward Wout Weghorst. 

Before half-time struck, Cody Gakpo went near as he twisted and turned in the box but Chris Mepham’s block was enough to take it away from goal. 

At the break, Adam Davies was introduced for Danny Ward and his first action was to watch a Koopmeiners free-kick fizzle just past his goal. 

Davies would have to pick the ball out of his net moments later though as Koopmeiners would be found just outside the box by Jerdy Schouten and the drilled a shot low into the corner. 

An enforced substitution came just before the hour with Joe Morrell going through a few bumps and bruises before making way for Rubin Colwill that changed the shape of the side, pushing James and Brennan Johnson out wide. 

The Netherlands were the side on top however and an awkward cross from Club Brugge’s Noa Lang almost caught Davies out but he was able to claw it away. 

Gareth Bale and Rabbi Matondo were sent on with 15 minutes remaining for Johnson and James in a full change of the attack. 

After not looking like scoring, Cymru equalised as Connor Roberts’ delightful cross found the leaping Rhys Norrington-Davies, who came through the academy of Aberystwyth Town and Bow Street.

A point though was cruelly snatched away from Cymru however as Weghorst headed home the winning goal from a Tyrell Malacia cross.

Cymru: Danny Ward (Adam Davies, 46), Dylan Levitt (Matthew Smith, 67), Ben Davies (C), Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson (Gareth Bale, 76), Connor Roberts, Joe Morrell (Rubin Colwill, 58), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Daniel James (Rabbi Matondo, 76)

Goals: Rhys Norrington-Davies 90+3

Netherlands: Mark Flekken, Jordan Teze, Mathijs de Ligt (Bruno Martins Indi, 83), Stefan de Vrij (C), Cody Gakpo (Steven Bergwijn, 66), Noa Lang (Guus Til, 90+1), Hans Hateboer, Tyrell Malacia, Jerdy Schouten (Frenkie de Jong, 66), Wout Weghorst, Teun Koopmeiners. 

Goals: Teun Koopmeiners, 50, Wout Weghorst 90+4

Yellow Cards: Jordan Teze 3’

Attendance: 23,395

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)