Weghorst is unlikely star of Netherlands' comeback win

It may be of scant consolation to Poland but the World Cup winners have suffered the same fate. A Netherlands manager, seeking a goal and a game-changing substitute, summoned Wout Weghorst.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Poland 1

Buksa (16)

Netherlands 2

Gakpo (29), Weghorst (83)

And, like a force of nature, he felt unstoppable. It wasn’t quite enough to eliminate Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final but, when Poland were closing in on a point in Euro 2024, Weghorst went from the bench to the scoresheet in two minutes.

The forward who delivered a mere two goals in 31 appearances for Manchester United may have found his niche: as the Dutch super-sub in tournament football. As he was mobbed by teammates and substitutes alike, his name echoed around the Volksparkstadion, the hordes in orange celebrating their ungainly saviour.

His spell at Old Trafford brought a certain degree of mockery, but Weghorst is very accustomed to scoring goals in Germany: there were 70 in his spell at Wolfsburg alone. His winner in Hamburg was taken wonderfully. He latched on to a no-look pass from Nathan Ake, the outstanding player on the pitch, and placed a shot beyond Wojciech Szczesny.

When the draw for Euro 2024 was made, Poland may have envisaged this game being decided by a potent forward in the No 9 shirt: just not this particular one.