The Netherlands were frustrated by a 2-2 draw against Japan in their opening World Cup match, but the game in Dallas still produced a memorable Liverpool moment.
Virgil van Dijk captained the Dutch team and scored the opening goal early in the second half, meeting a Ryan Gravenberch cross with a superb header that flew across goal and in off the post.
It was the type of goal Liverpool supporters would have enjoyed seeing, with two current Reds combining effectively on football’s biggest international stage.
However, it was more than just a strong club connection. The goal also gave Liverpool a rare World Cup landmark, as Van Dijk and Gravenberch achieved something no Liverpool duo had managed since 1966.
Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch make Liverpool World Cup history
According to Opta’s Michael Reid on X, Gravenberch assisting Van Dijk marked only the second World Cup goal ever scored and assisted by Liverpool players.
The only previous instance came in 1966, when Ian Callaghan set up Roger Hunt for England against France during their successful World Cup campaign.
That made Van Dijk’s goal a notable piece of Liverpool history, even if the Netherlands’ overall display was far from convincing.
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