Netherlands edge Uzbekistan 2-1 in final World Cup warm-up

The Netherlands defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in their final World Cup warm-up match. The late winner arrived in the 98th minute. Bondscoach Ronald Koeman fielded an unchanged starting XI. The match saw limited attacking opportunities for both sides. Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay led the Dutch attack. Depay scored the opening goal in the first half. Uzbekistan equalized shortly after. Wout Weghorst entered as a substitute in the second half. His introduction shifted the game’s momentum. The winning goal came from a set-piece situation in stoppage time.

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Defender Nathan Aké provided a standout performance. He marshaled the defensive line throughout the match. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made several crucial saves to preserve the lead. Jeremy Frimpong and Daley Blind completed the full-back positions. Both players contributed to the team’s pressing and defensive structure. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch controlled the tempo in midfield. The victory caps a challenging preparation phase. Koeman’s side will now focus on finalizing the World Cup squad. The tournament begins in three weeks.

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Uzbekistan struggled to create clear chances. Their best opportunity came from a counterattack in the first half. Coach Aleksandar Stanojevic made multiple substitutions to inject energy. The Dutch bench showed depth with players like Brian Brobbey and Steven Bergwijn available. Their roles will be critical in the upcoming tournament.