Ronald Koeman has confirmed the Netherlands starting lineup for their World Cup round of 32 clash against Morocco on Tuesday. The match kicks off at 2am BST at Monterrey Stadium and will be broadcast live on ITV.
Netherlands Team News
The Oranje topped Group F after victories over Sweden (5-1) and Tunisia (3-1), following a 2-2 draw with Japan. They have never won the World Cup, finishing runners-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010. In Qatar 2022, they were eliminated by eventual champions Argentina on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Koeman has made several key decisions. Sunderland's Brian Brobbey retains his place up front after scoring a brace within the first 17 minutes against Sweden, replacing Crysencio Summerville. Brobbey also netted against Tunisia. Summerville is restored to the starting lineup, with Donyell Malen dropping out.
Gakpo Available After Personal Tragedy
Cody Gakpo has made himself available for selection, days after his wife announced the tragic loss of their son during pregnancy. The Liverpool forward starts on the left wing.
Memphis Depay, the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer, remains on the bench after recovering from injury. He has yet to score in three substitute appearances.
Midfield and Defence
Ryan Gravenberch and Frenkie de Jong continue in midfield, with Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders dropping to the bench. Nathan Ake starts alongside Jan Paul van Hecke and Virgil van Dijk in a three-man defence. Micky van de Ven also starts. New Real Madrid signing Denzel Dumfries is the right-back, while Brighton's Bart Verbruggen is preferred in goal over Sunderland's Robin Roefs and former Brentford stopper Mark Flekken.
Confirmed Lineups
Netherlands XI: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Ake, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, De Jong; Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo
Subs: Roefs, Flekken, Geertruida, Wieffer, Hato, De Roon, Kluivert, Reijnders, Til, Koppmeiners, Timber, Weghorst, Memphis, Lang, Malen
Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, will be a tough test for the Dutch. Koeman's side boast significant Premier League talent, including Liverpool's Van Dijk, Gakpo, and Gravenberch, alongside Tottenham duo Van de Ven and Van Hecke.
