Weghorst is not the least bit stupid: “He’s not the best, but he provides what is needed”
Leo Messi achievedque Wout François Maria Weghorst (Borne, 1992) transcended more for a phrase than his goals. He “What are you looking at, stupid? Go over there” that he dedicated after Argentina’s hot victory over the Netherlands, on penaltiesin the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup became an iconic moment. There are even t-shirts. The Dutchman’s double to force extra time coming off the bench was forgotten.
FIFA brings to light the entire scene between Messi and Weghorst before the “What are you looking at, fool?”
It seems like his fate. “I was never the greatest talent, maybe that’s why the scouts never invited me to try out, but I never gave up”‘WW’ acknowledged, that he had motor problems in adolescence due to his height – he measures 1.97 meters – and that He was rescued by Peter Bosz when he was a member of the DETO, Fourth division. It didn’t count for Koeman either in his first stage at the helm of the ‘Oranje’: “I think Luuk de Jong is better”.
Weghorst: “Messi said disrespectful words to me and that disappoints me”
Suddenly, the ‘ugly duckling’ became a ‘swan’. Weghorst can boast of being one of the only players, along with Lewandowski, Kane, Müller, Morata, Lacazette, Ben Yedder y Vanakenwhich has pParticipated in more than 10 goals within the 10 major leagues in the last 10 seasons.
For the Netherlands he is a kind of ‘guardian angel’. In Qatar he scored with his first shot on goal and in Germany 2024 he is becoming the great catalyst of the tournament coming off the bench. Marked, as a substitutein the two previous friendlies against Iceland (4-0) and Canada (4-0) and He repeated it in the debut in the Euro against Poland (1-2). He thus became the first ‘reserve’ in score in three games in a row with the ‘Clockwork Orange’ since Vennegoor of Hesselink (2008).
Not only that. Weghorst can boast of being the Dutchman who has needed the least time in a European Championship to score from the bench: two minutes and 18 seconds. He came on for Depay in the 81st minute and scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute. He is also the third player from the Netherlands who has scored the most goals coming off the bench (7). Solo superan Van Hooijdonk (10) y Huntelaar (8).
Poland 1-2 Netherlands: summary and goals | Euro Cup (J1)
Its both have history. “This morning I had a feeling. My partner was doubting whether to come and I told him that we would be tied, but that I would come out with 20 minutes left and score“, revealed the Burnley attacker. “He has a goal, he always has and this time one of the greats has scored”he pointed out David Moyes.
The script was repeated again, only with a different ending in the defeat against Austria (2-3). He came on for Malen in the 72nd minute and In the 75th minute he rose to assist Memphis Depay in the momentary 2-2. “I would like to be a starter. Logically I expect more, but I am happy with the role I have”he admitted.
Netherlands 2-3 Austria: summary and goals | Euro Cup (J3)
“It was crazy, but we had to survive”
It’s curious. Her big night despite not booking or watching,served to defeat Turkey (2-1) and put the Netherlands in the semis for the first time since Euro 2004.
This time Koeman used Weghorst earlier than usual: He replaced Bergwijn at half-time. “In the 35th minute, the coach told me: ‘Get ready’. From that moment I realized that they needed me”. His first saving action, paradoxically, was to prevent, with Verbruggen beaten, Ayhan from scoring 0-2 in the 64th minute: “I put my foot in as best I could. I’m glad to have been important in defense as well.”
The ‘Borne tower’ He also participated in the two goals that led to the ‘Oranje’ comeback: caused the corner that preceded De Vrij’s goal in the 70′ and He unloaded on his back to open the space -forced Kadioglu to leave the zone- that led Dumfries town center and Müldür’s subsequent own goal.
“It was crazy, but we had to survive,” acknowledged Weghorst, who already dreams big, of winning the European Championship: “We are facing a unique opportunity. We only have to win two more games. It’s as easy as that.”
We are facing a unique opportunity. We just have to win two more games. It’s as easy as that
In the ‘Oranje’ they closed ranks around their ‘WW’. “With the entry of Weghorst we started to play more football and keep the ball”pointed out the scorer The free. “When Wout entered We began to throw more balls into the area and look for second plays. Thanks to that, we create more opportunities and more spaces.”he added Nathan Ake. “It gives us a lot of energy”tint Micky van de Ven. “Weghorst’s impact was fantastic”assured the player who brought him in, Steven Bergwijn.
Koeman himself praised the importance of his ‘X factor’: “I was clear that I had to put Weghorst in and use more players on the wing who could cross.” It seems, however, that he will return to the bench in the semifinals against England: “I could be a starter, but for now we are doing it like this and we are winning.”
It was clear to me that we had to put Weghorst in and use more players on the wing who could center
In the Netherlands they are clear: he should start. “I don’t think it’s crazy to play with Weghorst against England. He’s not the best player, but he has character. He contributes what is needed. The game came to life with his entry”says Kenneth Pérez, formerly of Ajax and PSV. One thing is clear: the ‘Oranje’ killer is not a bit of a fool.
