Doha - (AFP) - The Dutch national team made a successful return to the World Cup finals, after being absent from the 2018 edition, by defeating its Senegalese counterpart 2-0 on Monday at Al-Thumama Stadium, in the first round of Group A competitions for the Qatar World Cup.

And after host Qatar opened the group competitions and the twenty-second edition of the finals by losing 0-2 to Ecuador on Sunday at Al Bayt Stadium, the Netherlands completed the first round with three points at the start of its return to the tournament, thanks to goals from Cody Khakpo (84) and substitute Davy Claassen (9 + 90).

The Netherlands was absent from the 2018 edition after finishing runner-up in 2010, led by Bert van Marwijk, and third in 2014, led by its current returning coach, Louis van Gaal.

Shocked by the loss of its first star, Sadio Mane, due to an injury that prevented him from participating in the finals, and in its first appearance as African champion (2021), Senegal, led by Aliou Cisse, embarked on its third World Cup adventure, after 2002 (quarter-finals and 2018 first round), with a loss in its first confrontation with the "mills" team. Who, in turn, started the match without Barcelona star Memphis Depay before entering the second half.

And the “Orange” maintained its unbeaten record for the sixteenth consecutive match since Van Khal was appointed in the summer of 2021 as coach for the third time, after the disappointment of leaving the European Cup final price.

The second round will be held on Thursday, where the Netherlands will meet Ecuador, and Senegal will meet Qatar.