Match report

Netherlands Hold Off Ecuador 1-1 in World Cup Opener

Netherlands
Netherlands
1–1
FT
Ecuador
Ecuador
Nov 25, 2022

Netherlands and Ecuador battled to a well-deserved 1-1 draw in their opening match of the World Cup. Cody Gakpo's early goal for Netherlands was canceled out by Enner Valencia's equalizer, ensuring both teams leave with valuable points.

Key Facts

  • • Cody Gakpo scored for Netherlands at minute 6
  • • Enner Valencia equalized for Ecuador at minute 49
  • • Netherlands made three substitutions: S. Bergwijn, S. Berghuis, and Marten de Roon
  • • Ecuador substituted Jhegson Méndez with Yellow Card at minute 57

Lineups

Netherlands

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 23 A. Noppert (G)
  • 2 J. Timber (D)
  • 4 V. van Dijk (D)
  • 5 N. Aké (D)
  • 22 D. Dumfries (M)
  • 20 T. Koopmeiners (M)
  • 21 F. de Jong (M)
  • 17 D. Blind (M)
  • 14 D. Klaassen (F)
  • 8 C. Gakpo (F)
  • 7 S. Bergwijn (F)

Substitutes

  • 10 M. Depay
  • 11 S. Berghuis
  • 15 M. de Roon
  • 19 W. Weghorst
  • 16 T. Malacia
  • 25 X. Simons
  • 26 J. Frimpong
  • 13 J. Bijlow
  • 18 V. Janssen
  • 9 L. de Jong
  • 3 M. de Ligt
  • 12 N. Lang
  • 6 S. de Vrij
  • 1 R. Pasveer
  • 24 K. Taylor

Ecuador

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 H. Galíndez (G)
  • 25 J. Porozo (D)
  • 2 F. Torres (D)
  • 3 P. Hincapié (D)
  • 17 Angelo Preciado (M)
  • 20 J. Méndez (M)
  • 23 M. Caicedo (M)
  • 7 P. Estupiñán (M)
  • 19 G. Plata (F)
  • 13 E. Valencia (F)
  • 11 M. Estrada (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 J. Sarmiento
  • 10 R. Ibarra
  • 26 K. Rodríguez
  • 9 Ayrton Preciado
  • 15 Á. Mena
  • 6 W. Pacho
  • 14 X. Arreaga
  • 8 C. Gruezo
  • 5 J. Cifuentes
  • 18 D. Palacios
  • 22 A. Domínguez
  • 21 A. Franco
  • 4 R. Arboleda
  • 12 M. Ramírez
  • 24 D. Reasco

Timeline

  1. Netherlands
    6' Netherlands Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Gakpo · Assist: D. Klaassen
  2. Netherlands
    46' Netherlands subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Bergwijn · On: M. Depay
  3. Ecuador
    49' Ecuador Goal · Normal Goal
    Enner Valencia
  4. Ecuador
    57' Ecuador Card · Yellow Card
    Jhegson Méndez

    Foul

  5. Netherlands
    69' Netherlands subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Klaassen · On: S. Berghuis
  6. Ecuador
    74' Ecuador subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Estrada · On: J. Sarmiento
  7. Netherlands
    79' Netherlands subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Koopmeiners · On: Marten de Roon
  8. Netherlands
    80' Netherlands subst · Substitution 4
    Off: C. Gakpo · On: W. Weghorst
  9. Ecuador
    90' Ecuador subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Plata · On: R. Ibarra
  10. Ecuador
    90' Ecuador subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Enner Valencia · On: K. Rodriguez

Match Stats

Stat Netherlands Ecuador
Fouls 15 12
Pass Accuracy 83% 79%
Offsides 1 4
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 2 15
Corners 2 5
Total Passes 506 413
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 0 7
Shots on Target 1 4
Shots off Target 1 4
Possession 54% 46%
Accurate Passes 418 328
Shots Inside Box 0 10
Saves 3 0
Shots Outside Box 2 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Netherlands took the early lead through Cody Gakpo's goal in the 6th minute, giving them a strong start to the match.
  • ▸ Ecuador equalized just before halftime when Enner Valencia found the back of the net at minute 49, shifting momentum towards Ecuador and setting up an exciting second half.