Netherlands 0 Algeria 1: The Dutch depart for the World Cup with a home loss and questions over their attack
The Netherlands set off to the U.S. on Friday afternoon as the World Cup’s great bridesmaids. Three times they have reached a final — in 1974, 1978 and 2010 — and still they await their big day in the sun. Even their latest pre-match tifo felt telling on Wednesday night. “As a little boy I dreamed about it…” it read.
Ronald Koeman’s latest squad might lack the attacking quality of past tournaments but they remain a team aiming big on the countdown to their opener against Japan on June 14. Their own federation, the KNVB, has made the semi-finals a public target.
That was the result of optimism being gently stoked during an unbeaten run through qualification but an end to that sequence revealed flaws in their grand plans. Algeria’s 1-0 win, thanks to Anis Hadj Moussa’s excellent late strike, represented an ill-timed stumble.
The Athletic analyses the key talking points from the Netherlands’ penultimate warm-up game in Rotterdam.
The Dutch struggle in attack — even with in-form Malen
The Netherlands’ obvious and longstanding deficiencies lie in attack. This is not a Dutch era blessed with an attacking superstar and the final match on home soil should have been very different.
Donyell Malen, in particular, will have known it was a huge opportunity missed in Koeman’s attack. The forward, who enjoyed a prolific second half of the season loaned to Roma by Aston Villa, hit a post early on but then fluffed a huge chance. Debutant Crysencio Summerville’s cross from the right begged to be converted, only for Malen to stumble and scuff wide.
Against an Algerian defence that creaked and split again and again, the Netherlands might have scored as many as five first-half goals when ending up with none. Cody Gakpo was twice denied by goalkeeper Luca Zidane, with one save particularly impressive. Tijani Reijnders should also have found his way onto the scoresheet when denied at the near post.
The second half brought the introduction of Memphis Depay, perhaps the leading candidate to start through the middle, and even Malen’s switch to the right flank could not end his struggles. Another chance was dragged wide before the forward’s eventual withdrawal just after the hour.
The late introduction of Wout Weghorst, a sluggish target man only getting slower, underlined what the Netherlands lack.
Donyell Malen gets a shot away under pressure from Algeria’s Zineddine Belaid (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Defensive depth will be the Netherlands’ strength
This largely remains the Netherlands squad that was narrowly beaten in the Euro 2024 semi-finals by England.
Two of Koeman’s best midfielders, PSV captain Jerdy Schouten and Tottenham Hotspur’s Xavi Simons, both succumbed to ACL injuries in April but it remains a group to rival plenty.
Alongside Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, there was Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Reijnders of Manchester City in an effective three-man midfield against Algeria, one that will almost certainly be replicated throughout the World Cup.
The Netherlands’ defence is even stronger. All four starters in Rotterdam — Mats Weiffer, Jean Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk and Micky van de Ven — were Premier League regulars this season, playing in front of Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The World Cup options are only strengthened by the return of Arsenal’s full-back Jurrien Timber after Champions League final duty and Denzel Dumfries, the Inter defender wanted by Real Madrid, who was suspended on Wednesday for a red card collected in the March break.
That pairing can claim to be among European football’s best full-backs, while there is also Manchester City’s Nathan Ake in reserve, a half-time replacement for Van Dijk.
An Algerian attack featuring Riyad Mahrez had their moments and the flurry of second-half changes brought the one big moment for Moussa to win it in the 86th minute.
Algeria’s players celebrate their winning goal (Bas Czerwinski/ANP/ AFP via Getty Images)
Far from the ideal send-off
The Netherlands will have the opportunity to fine-tune when playing Uzbekistan in New York on Monday but this was a flat send-off. The smoke machines set off at the full-time whistle suggested planners had expected a far more joyful occasion.
In a fixture played at Feyenoord’s De Kuip home, owing to the fact the larger Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam is currently hosting Harry Styles’ world tour, there were the usual banks of orange clothing that will become familiar on the streets of Dallas, Houston and Kansas City. With a playing kit now bordering on the fluorescent, they cannot be missed.
This, though, was ultimately a night that belonged to Algeria, whose huge European diaspora ensured a vibrant atmosphere in Rotterdam.
As many as 10,000 were in attendance in a sold-out crowd that saw the visiting team’s flag dotted around the ground. Algeria’s first game could hardly be bigger on June 16 when facing reigning champions Argentina in Kansas. This was a welcome shot in the arm.