The Netherlands secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Monday in their final warm-up match before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Cody Gakpo proved to be the hero for the Dutch side, scoring twice from the penalty spot to guide the Oranje to victory in dramatic fashion.
The Liverpool forward opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, converting a penalty to give the Netherlands a first-half lead. However, the Dutch were reduced to 10 men late in the match after Joos Til was sent off in the 87th minute.
Uzbekistan took advantage of their numerical superiority and found an equalizer through Igor Sergeyev in stoppage time, leveling the score in the 92nd minute.
Despite the setback, the Netherlands responded immediately, earning another penalty deep into added time. Gakpo stepped up once again and calmly converted in the 98th minute to seal a dramatic victory for Ronald Koeman’s side.
The Dutch national team will begin their Group F campaign against Japan in Dallas on June 14, before facing Sweden in Houston on June 20. They will conclude the group stage against Tunisia in Kansas City on June 25.
Uzbekistan will make its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. The Central Asian nation has been drawn into Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo.
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