Netherlands vs Ecuador live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 Group A match as Gakpo scores early stunner

The stakes for the Group A match between co-leaders Netherlands and Ecuador could involve mathematical qualification to the Round of 16 for the winner, depending on what happens earlier in the day.

Qatar and Senegal will kick off earlier on Friday, and if that match ends in a draw, the winner of Netherlands vs Ecuador will be guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16.

Both teams are in this position after winning their group openers, each by a 2-0 scoreline. Two early Enner Valencia goals for Ecuador in the first half took down host nation Qatar. Meanwhile, the Netherlands left it late against Senegal. Cody Gakpo came through with six minutes remaining, and Davy Klaassen sealed it deep in stoppage time.

The conversation ahead of this match revolved around the health of the top goalscorer for each team. Memphis Depay can go 45 minutes, according to head coach Louis van Gaal, as he continues his road back to full fitness. Meanwhile, Ecuador confirmed there is no existing injury that would prevent captain Valencia from playing, after he hobbled off with a knee complaint at the weekend.

Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Netherlands vs. Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group A match in Qatar.

MORE: Qatar come up short as Senegal claim first African win at World Cup 2022

Netherlands vs Ecuador live score

Goals:
NED  — Gakpo (6′)

Lineups:

Netherlands (3-4-1-2, right to left): 23. Noppert (GK) — 2. Timber, 4. Van Dijk, 5. Ake — 22. Dumfries, 20. Koopmeiners, 21. De Jong, 17. Blind — 14. Klaassen — 8. Gakpo, 7. Bergwijn

Ecuador (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Galindez (GK) — 25. Porozo, 2. F. Torres, 3. Hincapie — 17. Preciado, 20. Mendez, 23. Caicedo, 7. Estupinan — 19. Plata, 11. Estrada, 13. Valencia

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Netherlands vs Ecuador live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup

27 mins: Stung by my criticism of a couple of moments ago, Ecuador have roused themselves as Enner Valencia wriggles away down the left and delivers a cross that nearly finds Michael Estrada in front of goal, Angelo Preciado winning a corner that comes to nothing in the aftermath.

24 mins: After an initial flurry from Ecuador in the immediate aftermath of the goal, they’ve struggled to put much together in the last ten minutes or so. Moises Caicedo does his best to change that, first having a shot charged down before bursting into the penalty area down the left; Virgil van Dijk comes across to block him off.

20 mins: Cody Gakpo is one of the most coveted young players in European football, and his displays at Qatar 2022 have shown exactly why. What a season he’s having for PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands

🔥 What a start to the #FIFAWorldCup for Cody Gakpo.

2⃣ goals in 2⃣ games meaning he has now been involved in 34 goals in only 28 games (16 goals, 18 assists) for his club and country this season. pic.twitter.com/cum9WZ1EfM

— Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) November 25, 2022

18 mins: The Netherlands already look like they’re managing this game carefully, keeping the ball patiently and trying to draw out Ecuador. That early goal has given them a degree of comfort they had to wait for in their opening fixture against Senegal.

15 mins: Enner Valencia was a real doubt for this one with an injury to his right knee, but the Ecuador captain has looked lively enough so far and is moving freely as he harries Jurrien Timber on the right of the Netherlands defence.

13 mins: Five goals in his 11 international appearances for Cody Gakpo, who has found the net in both matches at Qatar 2022.

2 – Cody Gakpo is the second Dutch player to score in his first two #FIFAWorldCup appearances, after Memphis Depay in 2014. Magic. pic.twitter.com/r43J804KZM

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 25, 2022

11 mins: It’s been a decent response to falling behind from Ecuador as Pervis Estupinan cross breaks for Enner Valencia on the edge of the area. He fails to really get hold of his first-time shot, however, and Virgil van Dijk heads clear.

8 mins: Ecuador trying to get a foothold in the game, knocking the ball about at the back as they look to regroup after that early setback. It’s the fastest goal at this World Cup by the way, timed at 5 minutes and 4 seconds.

GOAL! 6 mins: What. A. Goal! Cody Gakpo, take a bow. He broke the deadlock in the first game and he’s done it again here! Davy Klaassen wins the ball back just outside the Ecuador area and plays the ball into the PSV forward, who takes a touch and lashes into the top corner with his left foot. What a start!

(US only)

That didn’t take long ⚡️

Cody Gakpo gets things started for the Netherlands 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/rV8MmgCgQo

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 25, 2022

(UK only)

Cody Gakpo!!! 🔥

The Netherlands take an early lead against Ecuador#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WI7AMzNenG

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 25, 2022

4 mins: Ouch. Winces all round as Angelo Preciado is down after being caught in, er, a sensitive area. The Ecuador wingback takes his time to recover, as you would.

3 mins: It looks like Ecuador’s plan in these early stages is to sit deep and allow the Netherlands to have the ball inside their own half before engaging as soon as they cross the halfway line.

KICKOFF: Ecuador get us off and running, and the clash between the two sides who won their opening Group A games is underway.

2 mins to kickoff: We’re all set and there’s plenty of colour on show!

All in for their nations 😎. #NED #ECU #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/igkmtzckkI

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 25, 2022

5 mins: The teams are on the pitch, meaning it’s time for the anthems, and that all-important first whistle is only moments away.

𝕋𝔼𝔸𝕄 🦁🇳🇱#WorldCup #NEDECU pic.twitter.com/jLCxz4RbqO

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 25, 2022

7 mins: Tactical insight from the Netherlands’ main man:

• Will Memphis come on at halftime?

Van Gaal: “If you promise not to tell anyone, yes he will.” pic.twitter.com/u8w8vEQtMn

— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) November 25, 2022

10 mins from kickoff: Ecuador’s opening win against the hosts extended their fine recent form to one defeat in 16 games; they have kept a clean sheet in their last seven. 

The South American side have also won at least one game in all four of their World Cup finals appearances and are looking to match their 2006 achievement, when they reached the last 16 only to be edged out by England. Then, as now, they were in a section with the hosts, finishing second behind Germany in Group A. 

15 mins from kickoff: The Dutch look like they mean business for this one as they aim to make it two from two in Group A.

ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴍᴏᴅᴇ 🔛#WorldCup #NEDECU pic.twitter.com/O1xXAxwiir

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 25, 2022

20 mins from kickoff: The Netherlands are unbeaten since a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in Budapest in the last 16 of Euro 2020. Their subsequent record is W12 D4, the opening 2-0 win against Senegal their fourth successive victory and a third with a clean sheet. 

The Dutch are now unbeaten in eight World Cup finals matches, since a 1-0 extra-time defeat by Spain in the 2010 final. They didn’t lose a game outside of a penalty shoot-out on their last appearance in 2014, bowing out to Argentina in the semi-finals.

25 mins from kickoff: The attendances at this tournament have come in for plenty of scrutiny, but there’s a cracking atmosphere around the Khalifa International Stadium for this one!

🇳🇱 🤝 🇪🇨 #WorldCup #NEDECU pic.twitter.com/PlUOJzs4Ex

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 25, 2022

30 mins from kickoff: Jurrien Timber is in pretty good company…

2 – Jurriën Timber is the second player to feature for the Netherlands on two different major international tournaments (EUROs and World Cups) before his 22nd birthday, after Patrick Kluivert (EURO 1996, 1998 World Cup). Prospect. pic.twitter.com/eCyFk89M0L

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 25, 2022

35 mins from kickoff: Here is the Netherlands coach, leading his team into the stadium:

𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙! 🏟📍#WorldCup #NEDECU pic.twitter.com/uLS1If7dTO

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 25, 2022

40 mins from kickoff: So how much of Depay will we see then? Will he get the second half? Half an hour at the end? How much say will the game situation have over his involvement? You can be sure Van Gaal has poured over every scenario.

1 hr from kickoff: And this is how Ecuador will look, with Gustavo Alfaro switching to a back three to match up to the Netherlands as expected. Valencia is fit to start.

🔥 ¡Alineación de #LaTri!

🆚 @OnsOranje
🏟 Estadio Internacional Jalifa
🗓 Fecha # 2
🕚 11h00 (ECU)
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup #HaremosHistoria🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/jODMCJEqtI

— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) November 25, 2022

1 hr 15 mins from kickoff: Here’s how the Netherlands line up.

Our 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘-𝗨𝗣 for #NEDECU! 👊🦁#NothingLikeOranje #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0Jwy4jNgSL

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 25, 2022

1 hr 40 mins from kickoff: Qatar are now 2-0 down and head out of their own tournament. Memphis Depay would certainly like to feast on them in the Netherland’s final group game. Van Gaal says his star forward is fit enough to play half an hour today.

2 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: In Group A’s other game, the hosts Qatar are behind after some more howling defending. You can check out how all that’s unfolding here. 

2 hrs 50 mins from kickoff: Enner Valencia is set to continue his unlikely Golden Boot bid. The former West Ham and Everton forward has been in prolific form for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig this season and he brought that into the tournament opener, netting both goals against Qatar. Valencia converted a penalty in ice-cold fashion and then headed an excellent second. He appeared to tweak his knee and was substituted but all the suggestions from the Ecuador camp are that he’s good to go.

3 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Dutch boss Louis van Gaal really is one of a kind. An attendee at his news conference the other day told him of his admiration, so Van Gaal invited him to share a cuddle afterwards. The man really knows how to hug it out.

Louis van Gaal showed love to this young journalist ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IMJiwZWxLX

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 24, 2022

3 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: For the Netherlands, the chance to potentially secure a knockout-stage spot after only two games represents proof of their recent rejuvenation. Having failed to qualify for Russia 2018, Van Gaal has overseen a real change in fortunes for the Dutch in his third spell in charge. They face Ecuador on a mammoth 16-match unbeaten run. Can they extend that today? We’ll find out shortly.

4 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: The referee for today’s match hails from Algeria.

🚨🇩🇿 Algerian official Mustapha Ghorbal to referee the group stage match between Holland and Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/Wy3SYcEjvg

— Dean Ammi (@AlgerianFooty) November 23, 2022

5 hrs from kickoff: Here’s how many minutes we can expect from Memphis Depay today.

Van Gaal: “Memphis Depay played 30 minutes, the next step is to play 45. His injury makes it difficult to determine when he can start, so we have to keep track of his recovery process.” pic.twitter.com/tYpl4kozP6

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 25, 2022

Netherlands vs Ecuador lineups, team news

To start Memphis Depay or not? If Van Gaal is expecting the same intense, physical start to the match from their South American opponent that was shown in the opener against Qatar, it might be best to preserve Depay for the second half and let Vincent Janssen battle the Ecuadorean defenders until then. 

Meanwhile, Andries Noppert should continue to start in goal after the shutout against Senegal.

Netherlands (3-4-1-2, right to left): 23. Noppert (GK) — 2. Timber, 4. Van Dijk, 5. Ake — 22. Dumfries, 20. Koopmeiners, 21. De Jong, 17. Blind — 14. Klaassen — 8. Gakpo, 7. Bergwijn

According to Ecuador beat reporter Jocelyn Vera, La Tri will be lining up in a 3-4-3 formation to match the Netherlands lineup.

Troyes defender Jackson Porozo comes into the picture as the third center-back with winger Romario Ibarra making way. The front three would consist of Real Valladolid’s Gonzalo Plata, target man Michael Estrada, and Enner Valencia.

Ecuador (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Galindez (GK) — 25. Porozo, 2. F. Torres, 3. Hincapie — 17. Preciado, 20. Mendez, 23. Caicedo, 7. Estupinan — 19. Plata, 11. Estrada, 13. Valencia

Netherlands vs Ecuador live stream, TV channel

It’s a battle for the top spot in Group A at the Khalifa International Stadium as the joint leaders go head-to-head. The team that finishes in first place will avoid a potential Round of 16 matchup against the winner of Group B, currently led by England.

Ecuador left the best impression in the opening round against hosts Qatar, but the Dutch showed grit and poise in holding off Senegal and pouncing late to win their opener.

An upset result here by the unfancied No. 44-ranked South American side is not entirely out of the question. Here’s how you can watch all the action in the major global territories.

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA: