The biggest sporting event in the world continues with the Group A Netherlands v Ecuador clash sees the big winners from Group A’s first games go head to head.
With so many games and so little time, our Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Centre tries to sum it all up as quickly as possible before and after the game and with just a hint of cynicism. If you wanted professional and/or good you’d be on the BBC website, not here. Essentially, we watch and follow the game so you don’t have to.
With answers to the key questions prior to the match and our Minutes that Mattered summary and stats post game, it is a real Who Cares guide to the 2022 World Cup for the person on the go.
Enjoy the Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Centre.
KICKOFF – FRIDAY 25TH NOV – 19:00 (QATAR) 16:00 (UK) 03:00 (AEDT)
Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Summary
The two game one match winners have drawn 1-1 that is a satisfactory result for both, if not the performance.
Both goal scorers from this 1-1 were goal scorers from game one, with Enner Valencia’s three goals current good enough to be challenging for the golden boot, and for Cody Gakpo he is living up to the pre tournament hype.
The 1-1 Draw effectively knocked out Qatar in their game after they lost.
Looking at the match stats below, we were amazed with just how one sided the stats were in favour of Ecuador.
Final Score
NETHERLANDS 1
Cody Gakpo 6′
ECUADOR 1
Enner Valencia 49′
HT Netherlands 1-0
Player of the Match
Pervis Estupiñán
Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Stats
Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Starting Teams
NETHERLANDS (3-4-1-2)
23 Noppert
2 Timber
4 van Dijk
5 Aké
22 Dumfries
20 Koopmeiners
21 de Jong
17 Blind
14 Klaassen
8 Gakpo
7 Bergwijn
ECUADOR (3-4-2-1)
1 Galíndez
25 Porozo
2 Torres
3 Hincapié
17 Preciado
20 Méndez
23 Caicedo
7 Estupiñán
19 Plata
13 E Valencia
11 Estrada
Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Preview
Why should you care?
After both teams started off their 2022 World Cup campaigns with a 2-0 win this game becomes a bit of a shoot out for spot of Group A.
Of course on paper the Netherlands will be the more fancied of the 2-0 winners to win, but very few would have expected Ecuador to blow Qatar away like they did.
You get the feeling there’s more to come from the Netherlands, who peaked late v Senegal. Unlike Ecuador who put the tools down v Qatar.
Who should you care about?
Memphis Depay didn’t start for the Netherlands v Senegal, but he did give them a lift when he did, and was involved in the second goal of the game. Imagine him paired with goal scorer Cody Gakpo, what a front two that would be. To go with their super solidness in defence.
Can’t go past Enner Valencia for the Ecuador player to watch given his first half heroics v Qatar. But breaking through the Netherlands defensive wall is another thing.
Full 2022 World Cup Squads & Stats
Is there a barely interesting fact?
Netherlands (W5 D3) are undefeated in their last four World Cup v South American nations.
Who will win?
Netherlands 2 Ecuador 0
Full 2022 World Cup Predictions
Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Review
Minutes that Mattered
Welcome to the briefest of match summaries, like a minute by minute except one that has only the minutes that matter.
Stay tuned after the match.
Group A Netherlands v Ecuador Match Stats
Coming after the match.
