Ronald Koeman read the headlines back home.
The Netherlands boss was widely criticized for his substitutions and overall management in the aftermath of the team’s 2-2 draw with Japan to open this World Cup.
A 5-1 thrashing of Sweden on Saturday will quiet the skeptics as Koeman’s side flexed its muscles early and often, cementing its place in the tier of title contenders. The inclusion of Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey in the starting lineup supercharged the Dutch attack, leaving Graham Potter and Sweden to pick up the pieces and regroup after their largest defeat at a World Cup since a 7-1 dismantling at the hands of Brazil in 1950.
In front of 43,036 fans in Toronto, another European heavyweight found things much more difficult.
Ivory Coast’s first shot on target took 30 minutes to arrive, but when it did Les Elephants found themselves in front 1-0 on Germany thanks to Franck Kessie’s tap-in after Yan Diomande’s brilliant work on the left wing. But Germany clawed its way back for three points, and showed why Die Mannschaft observers have been shouting more Deniz Undav, please.
Group E: Ecuador vs. Curaçao, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Group F: Tunisia vs. Japan, Midnight ET / 9 p.m. PT
An Oranje statement
With the Netherlands up 2-1 against Japan following Crysencio Summerville’s strike in Dallas, Koeman put the handbrake on. The changes he made in the 70th minute, swapping offence for defence, put his side on the bac kfoot for the remainder of the match. For this the Dutch were punished, though in actuality a draw on that day was a fair indication of both sides’ play.
That didn’t stop the criticism in Holland, where Koeman’s lack of killer instinct along with gripes regarding the intricacies of talisman Frenkie de Jong’s fitness and overall play garnerd headlines.
In the social-media age these stories aren’t to be avoided, making the Dutch response in Houston on Saturday impressive on multiple levels. Koeman opted for change, inserting Brobbey at the spear of the Holland attack to immediate dividends. Cody Gakpo’s man-of-the-match performance was his latest excellent outing for his national squad.
Zoom out, and the Netherlands have the ingredients required for a deep run. The defence is formidable, led by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and a backline featuring Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Denzel Dumfries and Mickey van de Ven. De Jong remains one of the best in the world at his position, and the attack has no shortage in firepower led by Gakpo, Brobbey, and the in-form Donyell Malen.
The first goal remains topping Group F, now in sight with an encounter with Tunisia remaining, but this could be the start of something.
Nagelsmann presses the Undav button
The thousands of German fans at Toronto Stadium were at their limit. Then the chants began.
“Undav. Undav. UNDAV!”
Germany’s performance against Ivory Coast through an hour could best be described as uninspiring. Trailing 1-0, coach Julian Nagelsmann did what the fans asked and inserted the Stuttgart striker along with Nadiem Amiri and Jamie Leweling.
The change worked, with Undav leaping for Germany’s equalizer eight minutes after taking Jamal Musiala’s place. The 29-year-old played provider as well, setting up Amiri for a glorious chance that wasn’t taken in added time. Undav achieved superhero status in Germany moments later, staying just onside and swiveling to deposit the winner after a terrific Felix Nmecha pass.
It’s unlikely Nagelsmann drops the current starter at striker entirely, given his appreciation for Kai Havertz’s versatility. They can play together, however, and this is the expectation against Ecuador next time out.
During the week, a video featuring Diomande in conversation was making the rounds. A match in Toronto? Meant to be.
Rather than pummel you, dear reader, with Drake puns for this section I’ll just say that Diomande did start at the bottom, training as a youngster with MLS and European clubs, but not receiving an offer to sign on. Fast forward a few years later and the ‘here’ he’s reached is almost unfathomable.
Diomande was the focal point of Les Elephants‘ attack against the heavily favoured Germans. Eleven box entries came from Diomande’s left flank in the first half as Ivory Coast withstood early growing pains to gain a foothold in the match after the first hydration break. His pulsating run at the half-hour mark led to Kessie’s opener.
RB Leipzig, his club team, is looking at a nine-figure windfall once Diomande’s heavily rumoured move to Liverpool is complete this summer.
German goalkeeper Maneul Neuer looks on helplessly as Franck Kessie’s shot finds twine in Toronto.
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae used one of the hydration breaks in 21 C Toronto for a very legitimate reason.
Brobbey’s lightning-quick start helped us remember some of our favourite guys.
1. Deniz Undav (Germany)
To start or not to start, should you really mess with a good thing? Undav’s two goals against Ivory Coast means he has more goal involvements as a substitute at this World Cup (five) than any other player.
2. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
The Liverpool winger was at his best with a more traditional striker in Brobbey starting. After his brace against Sweden, Gakpo has combined for 10 goals and assists in 14 international matches and now has more goals at major tournaments than Dutch icon Arjen Robben. Pretty, pretty good.
3. Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)
A forward that has given many Premier League defenders problems brought his exploits to the international stage in Houston. Goal hungry and fearless, Brobbey’s strengths are unique to the Dutch forward group.
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