Virgil van Dijk responds to brutal Marco van Basten blast after World Cup 2022 display
Netherlands failed to hold on to a one-goal lead against Group A rivals Ecuador on Friday and are in danger of not progressing to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup
Dutch legend Marco van Basten let rip at Virgil van Dijk's defending after Netherlands' 1-1 draw against Ecuador on Friday.
Louis van Gaal's side took the lead at the Khalifa International Stadium thanks to Cody Gakpo's first-half strike, but Enner Valencia's goal salvaged a point for Ecuador. The result means the Netherlands remain at risk of being eliminated in the World Cup group stage.
Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Van Basten, who was part of the Netherlands' squad that won Euro '88, has blamed Van Dijk for Valencia's equaliser. The Liverpool defender failed to block Pervis Estupinan's strike, which was parried into the path of Valencia.
"Van Dijk is just waiting and watching him shoot," Van Basten told NOS.
"What is he looking at? He needs to be on top of him! He just lets him shoot!"
The Netherlands remain the favourites to finish top of Group A and must win their final game against Qatar to make sure that happens. The hosts are already out of the World Cup after losing both of their opening games - suffering a 3-1 defeat to Senegal on Friday.
As such, there is a lot of pressure on Van Dijk and his teammates to deliver. The Netherlands failed to qualify for the last World Cup and Euro 2016. They've won just one major men's honour before - and that was thanks to Van Basten's brilliance 34 years ago.
What did you make of Virgil van Dijk's defending against Ecuador? Let us know in the comments below!
Van Dijk was asked about Van Basten's comments in his post-match interview.
He said: "I don't think he is ever positive, so what am I supposed to do with it? It's easy to talk from the studio. Me failing as a captain? What do you want me to do with that info? I am always up front. I lead the team the best way possible."
As Van Dijk suggests, this isn't the first time Van Basten has questioned the Liverpool defender. The AC Milan legend did so after the September internationals, when Van Gaal's side achieved wins against Poland and Belgium in the Nations League.
"Van Dijk is actually the best man, but does the least in terms of initiative," Van Basten told Ziggo Sport. "It is actually very strange that such a very good player does so little for the Dutch national team in the build-up."
READ MORE: Gareth Southgate picks out "absolutely outstanding" England duo from USA drawREAD MORE: England stars look dejected in debrief with families after World Cup bore drawAlthough Van Basten has questioned Van Dijk, fellow Dutch legend Nigel de Jong was full of praise for him. Speaking ahead of Friday's game, he told ITV : "2016, the Euros as well, 2018 we missed out so there’s a big gap in that generation since we played in 2014.
"It’s crazy that he [Van Dijk] is 32 and it’s his first tournament but he’s still a rock, he is a rock for his national team, he’s enjoying every moment, I’m in touch with him almost on a daily basis, he’s a great guy, a humble dude.
"He knows what it takes to be successful not just with his domestic team but in the squad, he’s the first one who goes in the battles and he brings his team along."
