Algeria stuns the Netherlands thanks to a superb goal

 On Wednesday night at De Kuip, Algeria beat the Netherlands thanks to a late goal from Anis Hadj Moussa, playing at home (1-0). A match full of lessons for both teams, who are headed to the World Cup.

A first-ever meeting between the Netherlands and Algeria in the rain in Rotterdam. And on Wednesday at De Kuip, Feyenoord’s home, it was indeed the Greens, though outplayed, who surprised the Oranje in what was their first international matchup. A magnificent goal from Anis Hadj Moussa, brought on at halftime in front of his home crowd, was enough for his team (86th).

Dutch coach Ronald Koeman left Memphis Depay on the bench, opting in attack for Donyell Malen, supported by Cody Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville. In the classic 4-3-3, leaders Virgil Dan Dijk, captain’s armband on his arm, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch were all there.

A goal ruled out for offside

On the Algerian side, Vladimir Petkovic started Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura at the top of his 4-3-3, while Lille’s Nabil Bentaleb and Aïssa Mandi also began. In goal, Luca Zidane, wearing a mask, earned his 7th cap, brilliantly. The Granada goalkeeper was decisive from the start as his team were repeatedly caught out in the first half.

Malen hit the post at the end of a superb collective move (8th) before getting tangled up when he was in an ideal position (19th). Reijnders scored but his provider Summerville was flagged offside (10th), then the City player was denied by Zidane (26th), already impeccable against Gakpo (20th). Only Amoura (27th) and Bentaleb (28th), during a brief Algerian spell, tried to spark a response.

A spectacular goal from Hadj Moussa

Halftime reshuffled both lineups. Just after coming on, Ibrahim Maza came very close to beating Robin Roefs (48th), while Reinjders (51st), Malen (52nd) and then Justin Kluivert, stopped by Zidane (62nd), as well as Depay (84th) failed to break the deadlock. Chances rained down, mostly for the Oranje, but the net did not ripple until the 86th. In his own backyard, it was therefore Hadj Moussa who made the difference with a superb right-footed curling shot.

Both teams were able to measure themselves against real opposition and the match, for both coaching staffs, will undoubtedly have been rich in lessons. Before opening the competition respectively against Japan and Argentina, the Netherlands will face Uzbekistan on Monday night (8:45 p.m. in New York) and Algeria will play Bolivia on Wednesday (10 p.m.).

The Netherlands XI

4-3-3: Verbruggen (46th, Roefs) - Wieffer (68th, Geertruida), van Hecke 88th, Brobbey), Van Dijk (46th, Aké), van de Ven (46th, Hato) - de Jong (68th, de Roon), Reijnders (68th, Q. Timber), Gravenberch 46th, Depay) - Gakpo (81st, Weghorst), Malen (68th, Koopmeiners, Summerville (46th, J.Kluivert)

Algeria XI

4-3-3: Zidane - Abada (46th, Belghali), Mandi (46th, Tougai), Belaïd, Aït-Nouri (46th, Hadjam) - Zerrouki (46th, Maza), Bentaleb, Aouar (46th, Chaïbi) - Mahrez (46th, Hadj Moussa), Gouiri (63rd, Benbouali), Amoura (69th, Boulbina)