DOHA, Qatar — The Netherlands seized the advantage in World Cup Group A as goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen sealed a 2-0 win over African champions Senegal.
Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford put last year’s European Championship loss behind them, combining to score three goals in England’s 6-2 rout of Iran in Group B at the World Cup.
United States winger Timothy Weah scored with a finish his illustrious father would have been proud of to give his side a deserved 1-0 halftime lead over Wales in their World Cup Group B clash at a raucous Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
The Dutch, who had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, have now gone 16 games without defeat since coach Louis van Gaal took over for a third time, making him the most successful Dutch coach with 38 wins, surpassing Dick Advocaat.
They also stretched an unbeaten record in their opening game at World Cups that dates back to 1938.
Yet they looked to be heading for a scrappy goalless draw after wasting several chances before man-of-the-match Gakpo beat goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to nod in Frenkie de Jong’s cross with the back of his head.
Klaassen then pounced on a weak Mendy save to score on the rebound nine minutes into stoppage time.
The Dutch join Ecuador, 2-0 winners over hosts Qatar Sunday, on three points, with the top two meeting on Friday.
“At times we may have been too rushed and tried to force things,” said Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk according to Reuters. “But in the end Cody did it very well.
“In midfield, however, if you lose possession it is open and they (Senegal) can be dangerous with their speed. That has to be better because Ecuador also have the speed that can hurt you on the counter.
“We will have to work on that, but it can only get better from here. That’s how it feels,” said the defender.
The 23-year-old Gakpo, who has now scored three times in his last four internationals, had the Netherlands’ first opportunity after four minutes but tried to square the ball to Steven Bergwijn instead of going for goal.
That was followed by a Daley Blind header at the far post that flew wide before Steven Berghuis sent Bergwijn through and he laid the ball off for the unmarked De Jong in the box.
England thrashes Iran 6-2
England got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start as they rattled in the goals past a shell-shocked Iran and cruised to an impressive 6-2 Group B victory today in a timely return to form for Gareth Southgate’s side.
England came into the tournament without a win in six games, but a dynamic opening 45 minutes in which Jude Bellingham scored his first England goal, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead and Raheem Sterling grabbed a third set up a second-half stroll.
Saka’s second goal after the break allowed them to take their foot off the gas and opened the door for Iran to grab one back through Mehdi Taremi, before substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish rounded off England’s scoring.
Iran were awarded a penalty for a minor shirt pull, given after a VAR review, which Taremi converted in the 13th minute of stoppage time.
England’s cause was helped when Iran’s influential goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was forced off the pitch after 20 minutes following a sickening clash of heads with a team mate but they took full advantage.
England’s 19-year-old midfielder Bellingham underlined why some of Europe’s biggest clubs have got him in their sights, as he purred like a Rolls-Royce in the engine room and his opening goal set England on their way at Khalifa International Stadium.
Timing his run perfectly, Bellingham rose to meet Luke Shaw’s cross from the left, and directed a looping header over the keeper and into the top corner in the 35th minute to become the first player born in or after 2000 to score at the World Cup.
Shaw was the provider again for England’s second goal as his corner was headed back across the area by Harry Maguire to Saka, who volleyed expertly into the top corner.
The game was then effectively ended as a contest when Sterling added a third, finishing with the outside of his boot on the volley from Harry Kane’s cross after Bellingham was once again involved in the buildup.
England were not done however, as Saka grabbed his second in the 62nd minute.
Bale earns Wales 1-1 draw with US
A late penalty by veteran striker Gareth Bale earned Wales a 1-1 draw with the United States to avoid a losing return to the World Cup after 64 years in a fascinating Group B encounter at a raucous Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Dragged down by US defender Tim Ream in the box, Wales’ all-time top scorer stepped up to the penalty spot in the 82nd minute and made no mistake by hammering the ball into the top corner in front of the “Red Wall” of fans.
With one of the youngest teams at the tournament and themselves returning after eight years, the United States started energetically and took a well-deserved 1-0 lead with a 36th minute goal from Timothy Weah. They were unlucky not to go into the break with a bigger advantage against the flat Welsh.
Weah, the son of Liberian president and former World Player of the Year George Weah, timed his run to perfection after a beautifully-weighted pass from Christian Pulisic and slipped the ball past Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
