Liverpool teammate and club captain Virgil van Dijk led out his country for their opening game of Group D in Hamburg, completing the full match in the centre of defence.

However, after dominating early possession, it was Poland who opened the scoring against the run of play in minute 16 via the head of Adam Buksa following Piotr Zielinski’s corner ball.

The Netherlands, though, restored parity quickly just before the half hour mark as Gakpo took the ball in his stride to drive on and strike goalwards from outside the area.

His effort took a deflection via the retreating defence, which left Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny wrong-footed and unable to halt his shot.

Denzel Dumfries and Xavi Simons came close as Netherlands continued to push for a winner after the half.

Nevertheless, Poland gained momentum and began to pose a threat in the opposing box, forcing goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen into several saves.

Gakpo departed nine minutes from time with the game seemingly heading for a draw, though it was substitute Wout Weghorst who provided the decisive intervention in the 83rd minute, finding space in the area to shoot low into the bottom corner and earn the spoils for his nation.

In this match, Van Dijk had 8/10 duels won, 6 Clearances, 5 Headed clearance, 8 Passes into final third

Meanwhile, Gakpo excels in attack and defense with 3 Chances created, 4/4 dribbles and up to 14/17 duels won

Gakpo told UEFA post-match: “I think it was a tough match, [they are] a tough opponent. They are well organised and obviously they scored first so it was a little bit more difficult.

“I think we created a lot of good opportunities and good chances, but we have to be more clinical. Overall, I think we performed really well against them.

“It was a tough match but in the end we won so that’s good.”

He added: “We are a team that never gives up. We have good substitutes and that’s what you saw today. I think we changed the whole frontline and they came in and performed very well so that’s a strength for us as well.”

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was also involved in the contest as an unused substitute for Ronald Koeman’s outfit.