Oranje beat Norway 2-1 in friendly at Johan Cruijff ArenA

Oranje was victorious in their friendly game against Norway on Friday. The Dutch national side won 2-1 in the Johan Cruijff ArenA thanks to goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders.

Koeman showed his confidence in 20-year-old Kees Smit, handing the AZ midfielder his first start. Norway were missing what many consider to be their two best players in Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.

Oranje’s first chance came in the 18th minute. A Cody Gakpo chipped cross to the far post was headed across the box by Denzel Dumfries, but Norway defender Kristoffer Ajer got to the ball before Donyell Malen was able to convert the chance.

Norway took the lead in the 24th minute through a moment of brilliance by Andreas Schjelderup. The Benfica winger cut inside and hit a ferocious shot into the far corner via the inside of the post.

Malen, who started as a striker, was given a chance to get on the scoresheet in the 32nd minute. Mickey van de Ven came forward from left back and played a low cross to the AS Roma forward, but his effort from close range was stopped by Norway keeper Ørjan Nyland.

Oranje equalized in the 35th minute. A corner from Teun Koopmeiners found captain Virgil van Dijk unmarked, and the center back guided the header calmly into the goal.

Malen had another chance just after halftime when he received the ball from Gakpo during an Oranje counter, but his shot whistled wide of the post.

Koeman’s side got their second goal in the 51st minute. Sander Berge had a sloppy giveaway in midfield, which proved costly as Dumfries played the ball across the box to Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder stayed calm, taking a touch before placing the ball high into the goal.

From this point on, the game dropped significantly in energy, likely due to the high number of substitutes made, but Jorgen Stand Larsen almost brought some excitement back. The Crystal Palace attacker came close in the first half with a header and did well to flick a back heel towards goal in the final stages of the game, but fortunately for Oranje, the effort was straight at keeper Bart Verbruggen.

Oranje face Ecuador on Tuesday in the Philips Stadium to close off the international break.