Cody Gakpo scored two penalties, including a winner with the last kick of the match, as the Netherlands won 2-1 against Uzbekistan in a World Cup warm-up match behind closed doors at the Icahn Stadium on Monday.
Gakpo opened the scoring from the spot in the 31st minute after Crysencio Summerville was brought down by Jakhongir Urozov. The Liverpool striker’s conversion appeared to put the Dutch on course for a comfortable win after a dominant first-half display.
However, the Netherlands struggled to maintain control after the break and produced a sloppy performance in the second half, allowing Uzbekistan to stay in the fight.
The match was also marred by controversial refereeing. The Dutch team saw two tough penalties waved away, while substitute Guus Til received a red card in the 89th minute for what appeared to be an innocent handball outside the penalty area.
Uzbekistan took advantage of the Netherlands’ drop in intensity and leveled in the third minute of stoppage time when Igor Sergeev finished off one of the visitor’s few meaningful attacks.
The match seemed destined to end in a draw, but there was one final twist. Deep into stoppage time, Jean-Paul van Hecke was wrestled to the ground during a corner, prompting the referee to award another penalty.
Gakpo stepped up and calmly converted with the final kick of the match, giving the Netherlands an unconvincing victory.
The Dutch team travels to the World Cup base in Kansas City on Tuesday, ahead of the Group F opener against Japan in Dallas on Sunday.
Uzbekistan, participating in the World Cup for the first time, has been drawn in Group K and will start its campaign against Colombia in Mexico City on June 18.
Published on June 9, 2026
