Wout Weghorst rides to the rescue for wasteful Netherlands to secure opening win
POLAND 1-2 NETHERLANDS: Ronald Koeman's side had looked to be running out of steam following a succession of missed chances before Weghorst popped up with the winner
Poland were missing their No.9 Robert Lewandowski, but the Dutch one came up trumps just in time.
Wout Weghorst, the Manchester United misfit and still a player contracted to Burnley, came off the bench to win the game for the Dutch within two minutes of coming on, and he swept home the winner to spark delirious and relieved scenes.
Ronald Koeman's side had looked to be running out of steam following a succession of missed chances, especially in the first half, but Weghorst's 83rd minute intervention is likely to be crucial for the Dutch in a group which also includes France.
It was a dominant Dutch to start with, as Poland, in the absence of their arch goalscorer, were more than happy to put 11 men behind the ball in the same manner that they did in March's playoff win over Wales, when they didn't have a shot on target prior to the penalty shootout.
Cody Gakpo had seen his shot from an angle well saved by Wojciech Szczesny as Ronald Koeman's side exuded confidence, which was then shaken when they fell a goal behind out of nowhere.
Piotr Zielinski's corner was sent into the Dutch area, and there was Adam Buksa, the Trabzonspor forward in for Lewandowski and making just his 16th appearance for his country at the age of 27, to gleefully head in.
The Dutch were rocked, although to their credit they didn't show it. Within a few moments Virgil van Dijk, who was caught under the ball for the Buksa goal, blasted a volley goalwards that was well saved by Szczesny.
Memphis Depay was then the next to feel frustrated after going close twice inside two minutes, when he really should have done better with the first, before the threatened, and deserved, leveller came through the lively Gakpo.
There was more than an element of fortune about it though, as the Liverpool forward collected a fine pass from Nathan Ake before cutting in from the left and seeing his shot from the edge of the box flick off Jan Bednarek, leaving Szczesny with no chance in goal.
Gakpo was the game's outstanding player in the first half, and he really should have had another goal before the break when he fired over with the outside of the boot after being found by Ake. Then there was still time in the half for Depay to miss another inviting opening.
Indeed, half-time probably came at a bad time for the Dutch, and Poland improved in the second period as they sensed a vulnerability in their opponents.
Roma's Nicola Zalewski came close to restoring their lead on the hour mark, but the Dutch turned the screw back in their direction, and Wegorst pounced for the winner within two minutes of coming on.
Lewandowski could only watch on in envy.
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