History repeated itself again in the space of a week in Rotterdam, as the Netherlands scored late on to beat Wales 3-2.
Goals from Noa Lang and Cody Gakpo saw Netherlands go into a deserved lead. But Brennan Johnson struck in the first half and Gareth Bale’s penalty in the 90th minute looked to have sealed a point. Yet, just like last week in Cardiff, Memphis Depay scored a minute after Bale’s penalty to seal the win for Holland.
It was a very balanced start to the game. While the Netherlands were more than happy to pass in between the lines, Wales had set themselves up in a counter attacking style, and you could see that they posed a threat.
However, 17 minutes in, the hosts opened the scoring. Wes Burns lost the ball on the by-line and the Dutch pounced. Former Spurs striker Vincent Janssen played it into Noa Long, whose quick feet fooled Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham, and he rifled the ball past Hennessey.
The home fans only had to wait six minutes before they were celebrating again. Janssen once again with an assist, as he headed the ball to Cody Gakpo in the middle of the park, and the PSV star did the rest.
Gakpo ran around 30-yards unchallenged before having a shot on the edge of the area, which was blocked by Rodon. Unfortunately for Wales, the rebound fell kindly for Gakpo, and he kept his shot low and out of Hennessey’s reach, to double the lead.
It was easy to see that the game could get away from Wales very quickly, but this squad is made of stern stuff, and they reduced the deficit to one three minutes after Gakpo’s goal.
Dan James tracked back well to win the ball before laying it off quickly to Harry Wilson. Wilson carried the ball for a while, before picking out Brennan Johnson with a clever through ball, and the Forest man composed himself, before passing the ball through the legs of Matthijs de Ligt and into the bottom corner. The game was well and truly on.
The home side started the second half where they started the first, on top. Hennessey did well to keep out efforts from Frenkie de Jong and Gakpo.
Johnson then went close just before the hour mark, as he weaved his way through the stout Dutch defence, but his effort was well saved by Jasper Cillesen.
With just under 20 minutes left, Cymru had a great chance to equalise. Quick one touch play got Wales forward very quickly, before a Gareth Bale shot resulted in handball claims.
Yet, as the appeals were being made, the ball fell kindly to Johnson who had time and space in the box, but his volley was expertly blocked by Bruno Martins Indi.
Just as the game looked like it was going to fizzle out, Wales had a lifeline. Connor Roberts was bundled over in the box by Tyrell Malacia, leaving the referee with no hesitation but to point to the spot. Up stepped Bale who powered it into the corner to give Wales, what looked like, a point.
Football, however, is a cruel game, and Wales bore the brunt of that once again. Just like in Cardiff on Wednesday night, the Dutch went up field and snatched a winner just after Wales had equalised.
Martins Indi delivered a long ball which was headed into the area by Denzel Dumfries, and Memphis Depay had timed his run excellently to poke the ball past Hennessey, and Welsh fans’ ecstasy turned to despair in a blink of an eye.
Wales’ next match will be away to Belgium in September.
Player of the Match: Brennan Johnson
The Forest man was excellent tonight. An outlet for any counterattack and he took his goal like a veteran striker. If he stays fit and gets a good run going in the Premier League, this man can light up the World Cup for us.
Wales
Wayne Hennessey (GK), Sorba Thomas, Joe Rodon (Chris Gunter, 67’), Chris Mepham, Ben Davies ©, Wes Burns (Connor Roberts, 46’), Ethan Ampadu, Matt Smith (Aaron Ramsey, 63’), Harry Wilson, Dan James (Gareth Bale, 70’), Brennan Johnson
Unused Subs: Adam Davies (GK), Tom King (GK), Oli Denham, Dylan Levitt, Rabbi Matondo, Jonny Williams, Mark Harris
Goals: Brennan Johnson (26’), Gareth Bale (90’, p)
Yellow Cards: Chris Mepham (75’), Ethan Ampadu (80’), Connor Roberts (90’)
The Netherlands
Jasper Cillessen (GK), Hans Hateboer (Denzel Dumfries, 46’), Jordan Teze (Stefan de Vrij, 46’), Matthijs de Ligt ©, Bruno Martins Indi, Tyrell Malacia, Teun Koopmeiners, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo, Vincent Janssen (Memphis Depay, 72’), Noa Lang (Steven Bergwijn, 73’)
Unused Subs: Mark Flekken (GK), Kjell Scherpen (GK), Guus Till, Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Daley Blind, Jerdy Schouten, Wout Weghorst
Goals: Noa Lang (17’), Cody Gakpo (23’), Memphis Depay (90’)
Yellow Cards: Bruno Martins Indi (21’), Teun Koopmeiners (32’)
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