Netherlands

It's Official: Cody Gakpo is the James Rodríguez of 2022

The magical nights of Cody Gakpo just keep getting better and better. His consistency has evoked memories of another World Cup hero who has been the benchmark for World Cup performance since 2014. James Rodríguez’s magical tournament saw him score six goals in five games including one in each of his group stage matches.

Gakpo has followed suit for the Netherlands, scoring at the same rate in Qatar this year. Rodríguez’s month-long spell in Brazil changed his life ahead of his move to Real Madrid, could we see the same happen with Gakpo in 2022?

Enner Valencia se pone la capa de superhéroe y vuelve a salir al rescate de Ecuador

Cuando en Ecuador hay problemas, alguien agarra el teléfono y le marca a Enner Valencia. El delantero atiende, se pone su capa de superhéroe y sale al rescate. 

Apodado Superman, Valencia poco a poco construye una figura legendaria en el fútbol ecuatoriano. Parte de esa historia se escribe en el Mundial de Catar, donde marcó los dos goles de la victoria ante el país anfitrión y donde hoy anotó el gol del empate de Ecuador ante los Países Bajos.

Wesley Sneijder lo admite: #NoEraPenal

A la espera del proximo enfrentamiento del Tri ante Argentina, los mexicanos presentes en Catar han encontrado diferentes maneras de entretenerse.

Entre partidos, varios se han tomado el tiempo de conocer más sobre el país anfitrión, salir de fiesta, asistir a otros partidos y hasta aclarar cuentas con un viejo conocido no muy bien recordado del fútbol mexicano.

¡Ouch! Frenkie de Jong le da un manotazo en los "Países Bajos" a Cheikhou Kouyaté

El partido entre Países Bajos y Senegal, en el Grupo A del Mundial, fue un verdadero bostezo. Pero en medio de la refriega, al menos una imagen quedó para el recuerdo: el duro golpe que Frenkie de Jong le dio a Cheikhou Kouyaté, ahí donde nace la vida.

Manotazo de Frenkie de Jong a Cheikhou Kouyaté

La jugada se produjo en el minuto 69 (no, no es chiste) cuando Kouyaté intentaba evadir a De Jong con un sombrerito. El neerlandés pasó de largo y al intentar apoyarse en algo puso toda su mano en los "Países Bajos" del volante senegalés.

3 things we learned from Netherlands vs. Senegal: Clockwork Oranje

At the 2018 World Cup (one of the best group stages ever), we didn't have a 0-0 until Day 13 of the tournament. We looked set for one on Day 2 of the 2022 World Cup before Frenkie de Jong's beautifully measured ball met the advancing Cody Gakpo just ahead of the outrushing Édouard Mendy in the 84th minute, and Davy Klaassen added another at the death.  

The oldest players at the 2022 World Cup

Egyptian Essam El-Hadary is the oldest player ever at a World Cup. The goalkeeper was called-up for Russia 2018 and even had the privilege of playing against Saudi Arabia in a group stage game at the age of 45 years and ten days.

Yeah, kudos to Essam.

His record, by the way, will remain untouchable during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, that didn't stop us from asking who's going to be the oldest players at the tournament. And well, from two Mexican goalkeepers to stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, here's the answer. 

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Netherlands World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group A's Netherlands.

Netherlands World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 11th

Best finish: Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010)

How they got here: The Oranje finished top of a difficult qualifying group that contained Turkey and Erling Haaland's Norway. 

Euro 2024 qualifying groups: Italy faces England, France lands the Netherlands

FRANKFURT, Germany - Defending champions Italy will face England in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, a repeat of last year's tournament final, following the draw on Sunday in Frankfurt's Festhalle.

The Italians, who beat England 3-2 on penalties at London's Wembley stadium in 2021 to lift the trophy will also play North Macedonia, who prevented Roberto Mancini's side from reaching the World Cup, and Malta in Group C.

In search of an equalizer — The best heading threats at the World Cup

It's the 88th minute of a World Cup knockout stage game. Your country is clinging to a 1-0 lead and the pressure is mounting. After an extended period of play in your defensive third, the ball goes out for a corner kick.

You can finally take a breath, but who is this sauntering forward into the penalty area? It's the 6-6 center back who has barely left his half all game. His sizeable forehead and broad shoulders stand above the scrum forming in the 18. A pit grows in your stomach as you can almost see the scoreboard saying "1-1."

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