Cody Gakpo can't stop scoring for the Netherlands at World Cup 2022.
The first player to have notched against two different sides in the competition, the PSV attacker Gakpo opened the scoring within five minutes and four seconds of the Oranje's second game against Ecuador – who had a stringent record of clean sheets prior to kick-off. It's the quickest goal of the tournament so far.
The 6'2 striker picked up the ball on the outside of the area when Ajax man Davy Klaassen – playing in the No.10 role today – latched onto a long ball from Manchester City defender Nathan Ake. Gakpo spring into life, first to the ball before the Ecuadorian defence and whipped a stunning shot into the back of the net.
Cody Gakpo!!! 🔥The Netherlands take an early lead against Ecuador#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WI7AMzNenGNovember 25, 2022
Much of the talk before the match began was about Memphis Depay, who Louis van Gaal claimed only could manage a half of football, since he was struggling with fitness.
The Dutch struggled to break down Senegal in the first game without the Barcelona man, starting Vincent Janssen, once of Tottenham Hotspur. Gakpo broke the deadlock in that game too, with Van Gaal's men running out 2-0 winners without looking overly convincing.
Matthijs de Ligt has found himself out of the side for this one, too. The towering centre-back, now with Bayern Munich after a summer move from Juventus, was unconvincing up against Ismaila Sarr of Senegal in the first game and was dropped for the Ecuador clash in favour of Manchester United target Jurrien Timber at the back.
The Dutch are set to play the runners-up of Group B – England and Wales' pool – should they top Group A.
