Foot Weghorst came on as a substitute to score the winning goal in the second half, as the Netherlands came from behind with an early goal to win 2-1 over the Republic of Ireland in Group B of the European Championship qualifiers on Sunday.
The Irish took the lead four minutes later from a penalty kick by Adam Idah but the Dutch were awarded a penalty kick by Cody Jacobo who equalized in the 19th minute.
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Weghorst scored the second goal for the visiting team at the Aviva Stadium after 56 minutes, moving the Netherlands to second place in the standings with nine points, six points behind leaders France, but with a game in hand. Greece also has nine points after beating Gibraltar 5-0 at home on Sunday.
The Irish defeat left the team having lost four of its five qualifying matches, with little chance of qualifying for next year’s finals in Germany, and the future of coach Stephen Kenny was in doubt.
A horrific defensive error in the first minute gave Chidozie Ogbeni the chance to put Ireland ahead, but he hesitated too long and had his effort blocked.
Two minutes later, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk missed a penalty for a clumsy handball while trying to clear a corner kick and his hands put the hosts ahead.
They could have made it 2-0 in the 13th minute, but Shane Duffy missed a chance to head in at the back post from Ogbeni’s cross.
Denzel Dumfries raced through the middle in search of an equalizer in the 18th minute, and then Irish keeper Gavin Bazunu took his foot out from under him, giving Jacobo a penalty which he curled wide of the goalkeeper.
Bazunu made two key saves from Donnell Malen before half-time, but had no chance to stop Weghorst, who came on for the break, when he put his foot on Dumfries’ header to score from close range.
Dumfries provided assists in all three of the Dutch side’s goals against Greece in Eindhoven last Thursday and was once again pivotal to their success on Sunday.
