Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk sealed their place at next summer’s European Championships with a 1-0 win over Ireland on Saturday.Former Manchester United striker Wout Wekhorst scored the only goal of the game after just 11 minutes, meaning Van Dijk will lead his country in Germany after the 2023/24 domestic season.
With this victory, Ronald Koeman’s team took second place in the preliminary round of Group B, with 5 wins and 2 losses from 7 matches.Van Dijk missed out on captaining Holland at the rescheduled Euro 2020 two summers ago after being ruled out of the tournament with an injury sustained in the Merseyside derby in October 2020. Doha, Qatar – Saturday, December 3, 2022: Netherlands and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in action during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at the Khalifa International Stadium. Holland won 3-1. (Photo: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)Gakpo himself only played 11 minutes in the tournament but moved to Anfield from PSV in January after playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His side’s last win came at the expense of Caoimhin Kelleher, who was an unused substitute for the Republic of Ireland in the final Euro 2024 qualifiers. Kelleher won 10 caps for his country but did not feature in any Group B matches in the qualifiers, favored by Southampton’s Gavin Bazu.Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024 with 6 points from 8 matches in Group B.
Gakpo and Van Dijk will join Dominik Szoboslai on next summer’s tour. Dominik Soboslay had two assists to help Hungary earn a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria earlier this week.Linz, Austria – Thursday, September 21, 2023: Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool warms up before the UEFA Europa League Group E match between LASK and Liverpool FC at the Raiffeisen Arena. Liverpool won 3-1.
It is unclear whether Ryan Gravenbirch will join the squad in time for the 2024 European Championships following Haaland’s future as “punishment” for being dropped by Koeman and retiring from the national team in September. Liverpool’s number 38 has decided to stay at Kirkby to adapt to his new surroundings following his £38.5m move from Bayern Munich.
Koeman insisted the chase was “over” earlier this month and his impressive form at Anfield is likely to put him back in the conversation for his first senior selection since last September. Caoimhin Kelleher, Cody Gakpo, Internațional, Ryan Gravenburch, Virgil van Dyke
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