FIFA World Cup 2022, Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador: Key stats
Ecuador striker Enner Valencia denied the Netherlands all three points in a crucial Group A encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Friday. Valencia, who scored a brace versus Qatar on matchday 1, equalized for Ecuador in the 49th minute. Earlier, Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch side an early sixth-minute lead. Both sides are on four points after two matches. Here's more.
Gakpo and Valencia keep shining
Gakpo scored for the second successive game. Gakpo now has 17 goals and 18 assists in 31 games this season for club PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch national team. 23-year-old Gakpo has scored five career goals in 11 games for the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Valencia netted his 3rd goal in the FIFA WC 2022. Overall, he has six World Cup goals (also 3 in 2014).
A look at the key records
The Netherlands attempted just two shots against Ecuador. As per Opta, this is the fewest recorded for a European nation in a single World Cup match since 1966. Valencia has now scored each of Ecuador's last six goals at the FIFA World Cup. He is just the fourth player ever to score six consecutive goals for a nation in the competition.
A look at the match stats and standings
Netherlands scored from their one shot on target out of two attempts in total. Ecuador were the better side, clocking 15 attempts and managing four shots on target. Netherlands completed 506 passes, recording a pass accuracy of 82%. Ecuador earned five corners to their opponent's one. Netherlands and Ecuador both have four points from two games (GD+2). Senegal are third with three points.
How did the match pan out?
Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead after just five minutes and four seconds. It's the quickest goal so far in the ongoing World Cup. However, Netherlands failed to build on their lead. Ecuador's Estupinan had a goal disallowed on the stroke of half-time. Gonzalo Plata saw his long-range curler bounce off the crossbar after Valencia's equalizer. Ecuador were the far better side throughout.
