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Dutch Defeat

Netherlands stunned by Turkey and France held by Ukraine as World Cup qualifiers start

Turkey led 3-0 shortly after half-time before eventually winning 4-2.

LAST UPDATE | Mar 24th 2021, 10:29 PM

THE NETHERLANDS SLUMPED to a dramatic 4-2 defeat by Turkey in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, while reigning champions France were held by Ukraine despite a brilliant Antoine Griezmann goal.

turkey-netherlands-wcup-2022-soccer Turkey's Caglar Soyuncu celebrates their win over the Netherlands. Murad Sezer Murad Sezer

2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia lost 1-0 in Slovenia as they started their bid to reach the finals in Qatar.

In Istanbul, Turkey led 3-0 shortly after half-time through two Burak Yilmaz goals and a Hakan Calhanoglu strike, but substitutes Davy Klaassen and Luuk de Jong gave Frank de Boer’s Dutchmen hope.

Yilmaz’s wonderful free-kick sealed him a hat-trick and Turkey a crucial win, though, in a match between the two favourites to qualify from Group G.

“Very disappointing result, and also the way that result came about,” De Boer told NOS TV.

The defeat was a dreadful start to the campaign for the Netherlands, who failed to qualify for either Euro 2016 or the 2018 World Cup, but are one of the fancied sides ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 finals this year.

turkey-netherlands-wcup-2022-soccer Dutch manager Frank De Boer. Tolga Bozoglu Tolga Bozoglu

France kicked off their title defence with a 1-1 draw against Ukraine at the Stade de France.

Griezmann curled a fine finish from outside the box into the top corner in the 19th minute to draw level with David Trezeguet in fourth place on France’s all-time goalscoring list, with 34.

But Presnel Kimpembe put through his own net before the hour mark to draw Ukraine level.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender had a late chance to make amends, but headed too close to away goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan.

imago-20210324 The French players celebrate Antoine Griezmann's goal. Imago / PA Images Imago / PA Images / PA Images

The other game in Group D saw Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina draw 2-2, with Teemu Pukki netting twice for the Finns in Helsinki.

Belgium, the world’s number-one-ranked side, fell behind early against Wales but fought back to outclass their opponents 3-1.

Roberto Martinez’s men sit second in the early Group E table behind the Czech Republic, who thrashed Estonia 6-2 on neutral ground in Poland, with West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek scoring a hat-trick.

Portugal, who defend the title at Euro 2020 later this year, struggled in their Group A opener against Azerbaijan in Turin but Maksim Medvedev’s own goal nine minutes before half-time was enough.

Norway stars Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Odegaard donned t-shirts with the slogan ‘Human rights, on and off the pitch’ in support of migrant workers building World Cup venues in Qatar for the 2022 finals.

Haaland, national captain Odegaard, as well as team-mates, wore the shirts when the national anthems were played before their 3-0 success in Gibraltar. The Scandinavians sit ahead of Turkey in Group G with Alexander Soerloth, Kristian Thorstvedt and Jonas Svensson bagging their goals.

Elsewhere, Russia, 2018 quarter-finalists on home soil, stuttered to a 3-1 win in Malta.

Also in Group H, Croatia were beaten by Sandi Lovric’s early goal for Slovenia.

© – AFP, 2021

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