World Cup Qualifier: Netherlands and Poland Play Out 1-1 Draw

Poland earns valuable point against Netherlands in Rotterdam

The World Cup qualifier match between the Netherlands and Poland ended in a 1-1 draw. Poland earned a valuable point against the Netherlands in Rotterdam.

The Netherlands created the first clear chances of the match, with Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders hitting the post within the opening 15...

The Netherlands and Poland played out a 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup qualifier at Rotterdam's Stadion Feijenoord. Poland grabbed a vital away point, thanks to Matty Cash's stunning equalizer in the 80th minute. The Netherlands had taken the lead in the 28th minute through Denzel Dumfries' header from a corner delivered by Memphis Depay.

Despite Memphis Depay's fitness to start after recovering from a hamstring injury and virus infection, he couldn't find the net, leaving him tied with Robin van Persie as the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer with 50 goals. Ronald Koeman's team dominated possession and created several chances but failed to secure all three points.

Robert Lewandowski returned to the Poland national team after a brief absence, sparked by a dispute with former coach Michael Probierz. The dispute began when Probierz stripped Lewandowski of his captaincy, leading Lewandowski to refuse to play under him. With Probierz's resignation earlier in the summer, Lewandowski has now rejoined the team.

The Netherlands created the first clear chances of the match, with Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders hitting the post within the opening 15 minutes. Cody Gakpo then tested Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski with a powerful shot, which the Polish keeper miraculously saved with his foot.

The Netherlands continued to apply pressure, and Denzel Dumfries hit the post again, this time with a close-range header. Micky van de Ven had earlier intervened to block a potentially dangerous shot from Poland, highlighting the intensity of the match. The Netherlands' attacking prowess was on full display, but Poland's defense held firm.

Denzel Dumfries broke the deadlock for the Netherlands in the 28th minute, scoring his 11th goal for the country. He headed in a corner kick delivered by Memphis Depay at the back post, giving the home team the lead.

No winner tonight.#NothingLikeOranje #NEDPOL pic.twitter.com/ny6b2w9lRS

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 4, 2025

Poland's first significant chance came in the 38th minute when Sebastian Szymanski was allowed to head the ball towards goal. However, the Fenerbahce midfielder's effort sailed wide of the post, denying Poland an early equalizer.

The Netherlands started the second half strong, but Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski made crucial saves to deny Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons. Despite their optimism and chances, the Dutch team struggled to find the back of the net. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Matty Cash delivered a stunning equalizer in the 80th minute, scoring a thunderbolt that flew past Bart Verbruggen's near post and leveling the score.

The match ended 1-1, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. The Netherlands dominated possession, but Poland's defense held strong, and Matty Cash's late goal secured a vital point for Poland in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Match Recap

The Netherlands faced a tough challenge against Poland, with coach Ronald Koeman's team pushing forward in search of a win. Captain Virgil van Dijk even took on a de facto striker role, showcasing the team's determination. However, despite their efforts, the Netherlands couldn't break down Poland's defense, resulting in a hard-fought draw.

Poland's Strategy

Poland's strategy was clear: secure a valuable point from the difficult away game in Rotterdam. They successfully saw out the match, stretching out the five minutes of extra time to ensure they took home a crucial point. This draw boosts Poland's chances in Group G.

Poland's draw in Rotterdam provides a confidence boost as they prepare for upcoming fixtures. Matty Cash's performance, capped by his late equalizer, will be remembered as a highlight of the match. The draw also puts additional pressure on the Netherlands ahead of their next qualifier against Lithuania.

Upcoming Fixtures

Upcoming Matches:

• Poland's Next Match: Poland will host Finland next on Sunday.

• Netherlands' Next Match: The Netherlands will travel to Vilnius for an away game against Lithuania on September 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM local time in Lithuania (kick-off time may vary). They'll then face Finland at home on October 12, 2025.