La Tricolor deserved the win, but the point is worth both for the final day
The Netherlands and Ecuador have it in hand to reach the eighth finals. In an intense game in which the South Americans earned more than the Europeans, both finally accepted a point that puts them in a privileged position for the third day. Van Gaal’s men face Qatar, who are out and are by far the weakest side. If nothing out of the ordinary happens, they should hit and go first. Ecuador in turn has a final against Senegal. The draw is worth it and of course the win, but the Africans have already shown that they are a tough nut to crack.
Contrary to what happened in the final matches of the tournament, the goal came early at Khalifa Stadium. Very soon indeed. In minute 5, a loose ball on the edge of the South American area was headed up by Gapko with his left leg, who worked his way between three rival defenses to nail it into the Ecuadorian net with a left foot shot, unstoppable for Galindez. Second goal for the Dutch striker in the tournament. Good news for Van Gaal’s, and bad for United. Every target from the PSV striker is another bite at the expense of Gapko, intended by the Red Devils to replace Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. They can no longer get out of Eindhoven for less than 60 million.
The 1-0 of the ‘orange’ did not frighten Ecuador, which insisted most in this first part. The balls on both sides into space caused unrest in the defense of the Netherlands. Plata and Estupiñán created danger on both flanks, but they couldn’t find good finishing positions and when they did, there was rookie Noppert and his 203 centimeters tall. In the 32nd minute a dry and powerful shot from Valencia to which the Heerenveen goalkeeper responded with a heavy hand, in a very complicated shortening for a goalkeeper of his stature.
It was the best chance for the South Americans in the first half until the controversial action in minute 48, when three additions had already been completed. Estupiñán deflected a shot from the edge of his teammate Preciado with his foot, but the referee canceled the goal due to Porozo’s illegal position, in the direction of the ball and therefore in Noppert’s viewing angle. In this context, the goal should be illegal, but the reality is that Noppert was already beaten on the other side of the Estupiñán deflection and whether Porozo was there or not, he would never have stopped the Ecuadorian fullback’s touch. who left indignantly for the changing rooms.
The anger didn’t last long. Two minutes after the restart, Valencia’s goal finally came on the scoreboard. The Ecuadorian striker scored at will after a great save by Noppert, who again hit hard on a shot by Estupiñán. His stretch was spoiled by Aké, who failed to sideline Valencia and also failed to win the rebound. Sixth goal in a row for the Ecuadorian striker in a World Cup, a historic figure equaled by Eusebio, Rossi and Salenko.
After the draw, Ecuador were able to make it 2-1 thanks to a left shot from Gonzalo Plata that hit Noppert’s crossbar. On the 1-1 wave, the tricolor had its best minutes, but the Netherlands used its seniority and experience, stopped play and invited its rival to draw a point that benefited both teams. Especially to himself. The last day will be exciting.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
