While the Netherlands enter their first World Cup since 2014 in terrific form, the current winners of the Africa Cup of Nations have a powerful defensive unit
Since 2021, when Louis van Gaal came out of retirement and was hired as manager for the third time, the Dutch have gone 15 games without a loss.
Under the leadership of Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands enter the World Cup in fine condition after making it to their second consecutive UEFA Nations League final. Despite failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Oranje did make it all the way to the semifinals in 2014 under the guidance of Louis van Gaal, ultimately falling to Argentina in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw over 120 minutes.
For Senegal, Sadio Mané was forced to withdraw from the FIFA World Cup 2022 – owing to a fibula injury he incurred against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga earlier in November.
Senegal’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory and their qualification for Qatar 2022 were secured by Mané’s two game-winning penalties against Egypt. Mané’s absence in attack leaves a glaring gap.
The two sides are currently in conflict for the first time in an international match. In 2022, the Netherlands have yet to have a loss. Since losing 2-0 to the Czech Republic in the round of 16 of Euro 2020, they have gone unbeaten in 15 games.