Despite coming off the bench and playing just two minutes, Wout Weghorst once again proved to be the hero for the Netherlands, scoring a late winner that stunned fans and pundits alike. Cricket BD followers recall his similar heroics during the World Cup quarterfinals, where, after coming on in the 77th minute, Weghorst’s brace dragged Argentina into a dramatic penalty shootout. While he was never permanently signed by Manchester United, it’s clear Weghorst’s value isn’t measured by transfer fees. Any team that has him as an option off the bench is one step closer to victory. The Dutch underdog striker let his boots do the talking once more.

Although the Netherlands have often been criticized for wasting chances despite their beautiful passing sequences, Cricket BD analysts believe the real issue lies deeper. The team’s forwards are rarely the final solution — their attacking midfielders frequently pose the greater threat. In one key moment, midfielder Joey Veerman sent a crisp through ball, which Scouten collected wide before laying it off. The final runner was Reijnders, who often transitions between holding and attacking roles. This intricate sequence showcased the Dutch midfield’s ability to create asymmetrical movements that confuse defenses.

However, the Dutch midfield isn’t known for physical dominance or top-tier athleticism, so such forward runs happen less often. Reijnders missed a golden opportunity here, a costly one. In another promising build-up, Scouten switched play to Simons, while Aké surged forward from defense, creating an overload alongside Gakpo and Depay. Though they combined well, Gakpo shockingly missed from close range, squandering a chance created by Aké’s run and cross.

In transitions, the Dutch thrive. Whether reclaiming second balls or using Depay’s deep positioning to feed incisive passes, they continually generate chances. One such moment saw Reijnders deliver a perfect through ball to Gakpo, who unselfishly squared it to Simons. Unfortunately, Simons lacked the lower-body strength to finish under pressure. Then came the turning point.

Weghorst entered in the 81st minute and scored the match-winner just 138 seconds later. His intelligent off-ball movement, combined with the explosive power to finish under pressure, made the difference. Unlike Simons, Weghorst excelled in holding his balance and generating power inside the box. The goal sequence began with Reijnders again feeding the wing, Aké pushing forward to deliver, and Wijnaldum making a clever dummy run. This misled the defenders, leaving Weghorst open to exploit the space and smash the ball home.

Weghorst’s ability to shift gears, physically dominate defenders, and execute under pressure makes him a game-changer. His body control and technical fundamentals allow him to maintain form even after long sprints. That’s why he’s so effective when opponents begin to tire — his timing and presence are simply unmatched.

During the last World Cup, he nearly knocked out the eventual champions, Argentina. Subbed in while the Dutch trailed, Weghorst’s first goal came just five minutes later. He used intelligent movement to meet a cross with a powerful header, leaving Emi Martínez helpless. Later, in the 99th minute, he won a dangerous free-kick and converted a stunning goal off the set piece, sending the game to extra time. Van Gaal’s double-striker tactic, pairing Weghorst with Luuk de Jong, rattled Argentina more than any other side managed to.

Weghorst roams freely — dropping deep for buildup, winning aerial duels, and capitalizing in chaotic moments. His blend of technique and brute strength allows him to muscle off elite defenders, as he did against Enzo Fernández before drilling home a left-footed finish from an impossible angle.

All in all, when Weghorst was loaned to Manchester United, few Cricket BD fans expected him to start — even fewer thought he’d impress. Yet here he is, the unlikely engine behind the Netherlands’ most clutch moments, proving that heart, grit, and smart positioning often beat hype and headlines.