Poland’s journey in EURO 2024 began with a challenging 1-2 loss against the Netherlands. Despite Adam Buksa’s early goal, Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst secured the win for the Dutch team.
Early Dominance by the Netherlands
From the outset, the Netherlands asserted their dominance. In just the second minute, Cody Gakpo tested Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who managed a crucial save. Poland responded in the 16th minute when Adam Buksa found the net following a precise corner kick from Piotr Zieliński.
Netherlands’ Persistent Attack
The Netherlands continued to pressure the Polish defense. Szczęsny made several key saves, including a close-range attempt by Van Dijk and a powerful strike from Memphis Depay. However, Poland’s luck ran out when Nicola Zalewski lost the ball, leading to a deflected goal by Gakpo, leveling the score before halftime.
Second Half Struggles and Decisive Moments
In the second half, Poland struggled to maintain possession, facing relentless Dutch attacks. Despite a few promising opportunities, including a close attempt by Jakub Kiwior, Poland couldn’t capitalize. Ultimately, the Netherlands’ persistence paid off when Wout Weghorst scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute. Late attempts by Świderski and Piotrowski were thwarted by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, sealing Poland’s defeat.
Looking Ahead for Poland
Despite a strong effort, Poland must wait for their first points in Germany. The team showed resilience but will need to regroup and prepare for their upcoming matches in EURO 2024. The Netherlands, on the other hand, have started their campaign with a crucial victory, setting a positive tone for the rest of the tournament.
