Wout Weghorst scored the Netherlands’ late winner against Poland (Photo: Getty)
Former Manchester United star Wout Weghorst says he predicted he would score the Netherlands’ late winner against Poland at Euro 2024.
After Adam Buksa gave Poland a shock early lead in Sunday’s first Euros game, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo equalised but the Oranje struggled to find a second goal.
That was until Weghorst came off the bench in the 81st minute to replace Memphis Depay. Two minutes later, the striker scored the winner with his first touch of the ball.
The 31-year-old achieved cult-status with his country after scoring twice against Argentina as a substitute at the 2022 World Cup.
He somewhat enjoys the same status at Old Trafford having been signed on loan from Burnley for the second-half of the 2022/23 season to effectively replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Just two goals, neither in the Premier League, meant he wasn’t signed on permanently and he spent the last campaign on loan at Hoffenheim though he was only able to find the back of the net seven times.
Nevertheless, he keeps bagging important goals for the Netherlands and claims that this latest one was prophetic, saying post-match: ‘You almost have a feeling.
‘I told [my partner] earlier this morning, because she was doubting whether she would come.
‘I said it would be a draw, 20 minutes before the end, then I would come on and score. Sometimes, you just feel it.’
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman also revealed that Weghorst wasn’t pleased to learn he would be starting on the bench in Germany, saying post-match: ‘I tried to explain by every individual player the possibilities for starting or coming on the pitch in the second half when we need a different play.
‘He was a little bit upset and I think that is a good reaction. Wout is upset and doing a lot to get the opportunity to start.
‘We were not able to run a lot in the first half but Wout is aggressive he always takes initiative and has a good header as well, he has one chance and finds the net.’
Weghorst will be hoping his cameo performance can earn him a place in the starting XI for when the Netherlands play France on Friday.
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