Overview
- In Eindhoven on Tuesday, the Netherlands drew 1-1 with Ecuador after Denzel Dumfries was sent off in the 12th minute and Enner Valencia converted a penalty caused by Mark Flekken, which canceled an early own goal forced by a Cody Gakpo cross.
- Ronald Koeman made seven changes from the win over Norway and started Brian Brobbey up front as a physical target to test a different attack.
- Jong Oranje beat Belgium’s under-21s 2-1 in a friendly as debutant Ayoub Oufkir supplied a corner for Devin Haen’s opener and scored the second, offering a lift after last week’s qualifying loss to Norway.
- Curaçao, in Fred Rutten’s second match in charge, lost heavily to Australia in Melbourne after late goals stretched the scoreline, though Rutten said he aims to build on Dick Advocaat’s work to “surprise the world” at the World Cup.
- At amateur side GVVV, head coach Gery Vink told players he will leave after this season despite a contract through 2027, which surprised club leadership and triggered an immediate search for a successor.