Georginio Wijnaldum Takes the Dutch Team to Conquer the Host

DBasia.news –  Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum packed the brace to take the Dutch national team to Belarus with a score of 2-1 in the Group C of the 2020 European Cup Qualifying match at the Dinamo Stadium, Minsk.

The Liverpool midfielder scored his first two goals in the first half while Belarus could only retaliate after the break, through Stanislav Dragun, UEFA’s official website notes.

Thanks to the victory, the Netherlands managed to maintain their position at the top of Group C with a collection of 15 points, while Belarus (4) stuck in fourth.

The Netherlands has a great chance to qualify for the finals via the qualifying tournament path, while Belarus must go through the playoff phase if it wants to appear in the 2020 European Cup.

The Oranje team appear dominant with 75 percent possession and convert it to 21 attempted shots throughout the match.

Nevertheless, Belarus first had a dangerous opportunity in the 26th minute when Igor Stasevich sent in a cross which was well received by Denis Laptec, but Matthijs de Ligt made a crucial move to prevent the Dutch goalkeeper conceded.

Six minutes later the visitors opened the scoring when Wijnaldum stood in the right position to head in a Quincy Promes cross.

Then four minutes before halftime Wijnaldum scored his second goal with a beautiful kick that nested into a corner that was unable to reach goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor to double the benefits of the Netherlands.

Two goals behind did not make Belarus broke when they started the second half. Eight minutes after a measurable cross from Denis Polyakov’s cross failed to be anticipated by Virgil van Dijk and was greeted by Dragun’s header in the far post to minimize the backwardness of 1-2.

Wijnaldum had the opportunity to complete the achievement of a hat-trick in the 79th minute, but his decision was too late after receiving a pass from Steven Bergwijn. Wijnaldum finally throws the ball at Donyell Malen who shoots but is saved by Gutor.

The score of 2-1 lasted until the match whistle was sounded, ensuring the Netherlands won six points from two matches in the 2020 European Cup Qualification window this week.