World Cup 2022 top plays: Netherlands defeats Senegal, 2-0
The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Monday with the Netherlands defeating Senegal, putting the Dutch on a path to the knockout stage with three early Group A points after missing out on the last World Cup entirely.
Earlier, England opened the day with a dominating 6-2 victory over Iran to get three points in Group B.
You can watch this game and every match of the tournament on the FOX Sports family of networks — the tournament's official English-language broadcast partner in the U.S. — and the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. You can also stream full-match replays for free on Tubi.
Here are the top plays from Monday's group stage action.
Pressure cooker
The Netherlands came out of the gate ready to battle and continued to put the pressure on Senegal early.
What could have been
Early in this match, the Netherlands had a chance to take the lead, but their efforts came up just short, as things remained scoreless. Both sides looked threatening as they headed in for the break.
Shaking things up
After the break, Memphis Depay — one of Stu Holden's top 50 players at this World Cup — checked in for the Netherlands, which will rely heavily on their star striker for goals.
On the other side, Senegal lost another key player to injury when Cheikhou Kouyate was forced out of Monday's match after a strong first half. Senegal already started without icon Sadio Mané, who will be missing in action for the remainder of the World Cup due to a leg injury suffered in a German league game on Nov. 8.
Save!
It wasn't all bad for Senegal in the second half, however, as Boulaye Dia came up with a crucial save.
Another one!
Andries Noppert followed that up with another huge momentum-saving play to keep things scoreless.
GOAL!
The Netherlands broke through in the 84th minute, thanks to a Cody Gakpo header that brought fans to their feet. The goal came just two minutes after Ismaïla Sarr's header attempt for Senegal was too high.
For good measure
Netherlands midfielder Davy Klaassen added a second and final goal in the last few minutes to seal the win.
Read more from the World Cup:
- World Cup 2022 top plays: England routs Iran, 6-2
- England sends warning with to Group B with blowout of Iran
- The 2022 World Cup is underway, and it's already a high-pressure street fight
- World Cup Daily: Enner Valencia makes an early bid for Golden Boot
- How to watch every game of the 2022 World Cup
- 101 most memorable World Cup moments
- Stu Holden's top 50 players at the World Cup
- How the USMNT restored its culture
- Why young USMNT roster isn't sweating a lack of World Cup experience
- Get to know the USMNT's 26-man World Cup roster
Check out the full schedule for the World Cup and how to watch each match live here.