World Cup
For Oranje, the knockout phase is where the real jokers wait
The knockout phase is where Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands often unearth their most decisive moments. With the Round of 16 approaching in Kansas City, the focus shifts to the players yet to make their mark.
Marten de Roon, Mats Wieffer and Wout Weghorst were on the training pitch in Kansas City on Friday, preparing for the decisive stage. Their presence underscores the depth Oranje has built into the squad, even as the group stage ends.
Four years ago in Qatar, Oranje’s knockout heroics began with a rehearsed free-kick routine between Teun Koopmeiners and Weghorst. The 2-2 equaliser against Argentina in stoppage time remains one of the tournament’s most iconic moments. Now, Koopmeiners and Weghorst are back, and the question is whether they—or someone else—can conjure another late magic act.
Koeman has repeatedly stressed that squads evolve during tournaments. “You never finish a tournament with the same eleven you started with,” he said. “That’s my experience as both a player and a coach.” His reference point remains Euro 1988, when Marco van Basten’s introduction changed the course of the final. Erwin Koeman’s late cameo, replacing John Bosman and John van ’t Schip, completed the Dutch revival.
Justin Kluivert is one of the players Koeman has already turned to, bringing him on against Tunisia as the 20th outfield player to feature. The Roma forward offers a creative spark and pressing intensity, qualities that could prove decisive in tight knockout duels. “I’m already thinking about the final stages,” Kluivert said. “That’s where matches are often decided.”
Wieffer still waiting for first World Cup minutes with Oranje
Brian Brobbey has established himself as Oranje’s starting striker, but Koeman has also hinted at a Brobbey-Kluivert combination. “You’d almost want to see them play together in a half to test it,” he suggested. Such a pairing could emerge as early as Monday against Morocco. Penalty shoot-outs loom large in Koeman’s strategy. Against Argentina in Qatar, only Virgil van Dijk scored from the spot among the starters after 120 minutes. The rest were substitutes, including Koopmeiners and Weghorst. “Focus on second-tier takers,” Koeman implied, “because that’s who you’ll rely on after 120 minutes.” Memphis Depay remains a luxury option, much like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was for Louis van Gaal in 2014. Huntelaar’s 94th-minute penalty against Mexico decided the game. Depay, now training with the substitutes, could yet provide a similar moment of inspiration. Marten de Roon, recalled after two years away, has not yet played in this tournament. Koeman called him “the only true controlling midfielder at World Cup level.” His experience in high-pressure moments could be decisive in all-or-nothing encounters. De Roon’s ability to read the game’s turning points—whether from a foul, a throw-in, or a single mistake—remains undimmed. Weghorst shares that instinct. “You don’t need a good club season to sense those moments,” Weghorst said.