Wales comeback thwarted by Memphis Depay’s last-gasp Netherlands winner

14-Jun-2022 21:00:19 | Guardian

Last week, after the Netherlands snatched victory in the 94th minute in Cardiff, Gareth Bale conceded that Wales need to master the dark arts and adopt a streetwise streak if they are to prosper at their first World Cup in 64 years and after Memphis Depay rattled in a stoppage-time winner here, seconds after Bale equalised from the penalty spot, it was an agonising case of deja vu.

Twenty minutes before kick-off the stadium announcer made a point of congratulating Wales on reaching Qatar 2022 and while they generally appear in rude health, this was another galling ending. Bale, a second-half substitute, equalised from the penalty spot as the game rolled into added time but Depay, also a substitute, struck a late winner to render Wales’ comeback worthless. Brennan Johnson’s second nerveless finish in four days had pulled a goal back after the Netherlands raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Noa Lang and Cody Gakpo.