World Cup
Oranje’s attack shines but defensive frailties loom for Morocco tie
The Netherlands head to Mexico as group winners after scoring ten goals in their first three World Cup matches, but they also conceded four times in the group stage.
This is the second time Oranje have netted ten times in the opening three fixtures at a World Cup, matching their tally from 2014. It is the first occasion they have allowed four goals in the initial group phase.
“We are conceding too many goals,” admitted Jan Paul van Hecke, who scored against Tunisia and was praised for his display in the 3-1 win.
The Dutch have progressed to the knockout stage in Monterrey, where they will face Morocco in the next round.
Over recent years, the Netherlands’ strongest unit was traditionally their defence, boasting an impressive array of top-level defenders.
That spine was strengthened by the arrival of a midfield trio of Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch, forming what was dubbed the ‘dream midfield’. Together, they made Oranje a formidable and difficult team to beat.
Yet to overcome top nations, more was required. “Those strikers were all exceptional,” Ronald Koeman said last year at the start of World Cup qualification. “Top players. At the moment, that is less the case. It is a fact that we are very limited when it comes to outstanding number nines.”
For a period, Memphis Depay was the only recognised option up front. Wout Weghorst served as a substitute, Donyell Malen operated mainly as a right winger, and Brian Brobbey was omitted due to fitness and performance concerns.
That changed ahead of this World Cup. Depay was not fully fit, Brobbey had enjoyed a strong season with Sunderland, and Malen initially led the line after scoring regularly for AS Roma.
The pieces fell into place in the second group match against Sweden, a 5-1 victory in which Brobbey started centrally and delivered connection, movement, dynamism and pace. The attack finally clicked.
The seamless integration of Crysencio Summerville also fits the narrative. The nimble West Ham United winger appears to have solved Oranje’s long-standing search for an ideal right-sided attacker.
Brobbey continued his form against Tunisia, scoring his third goal of the tournament. With Cody Gakpo, Summerville or Malen rotating in, Oranje now possess a complete attacking picture.
While Oranje may lack an Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé or Lionel Messi, the blend of different attacking weapons makes their frontline formidable. That will concern a top nation like Morocco.