Canada vs. Netherlands final score, result, highlights from friendly defeat in Jesse Marsch debut

Kyle Bonn

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Canada vs. Netherlands final score, result, highlights from friendly defeat in Jesse Marsch debut image

Jesse Marsch's debut as head coach of the Canada men's national team provided some promise for a quality showing at the Copa America, but also exposed major flaws as they fell to the Netherlands 4-0 in Europe on Thursday.

The first half finished scoreless, as many of Marsch's trademark Red Bull tactics, including a 4-2-4 high press off the ball and aggressive link-up between the full-backs and midfielders. Canada held the strong Dutch attack to just nine shots before the break, although they had just two of their own as a result.

It fell apart after halftime, however, as Memphis Depay and Jeremie Frimpong both struck before the hour mark. Frimpong was the star, setting up the first with a pinpoint cross before scoring the second with a pacey run down the right wing. It exposed the issues with playing Alphonso Davies at left-back and asking him to play up the field as an additional attacker, as Canada failed to cover for his high positioning both times.

Wout Weghorst added a third just seconds after entering off the bench on a mistake by goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, and Virgil van Dijk also scored late in the game as a substitute as Canada were well beaten by that point. The second half was reminiscent of their World Cup showing where fans came away simultaneously impressed with the bright performance of the inexperienced squad while also cursing elementary errors that resulted in eventual defeats.

MORE: Canada roster, squad for 2024 Copa America as Jesse Marsch gets set to announce final list of players

Canada vs. Netherlands live score

 ScoreGoal scorers
Netherlands4Depay (50'),
Frimpong (57'),
Weghorst (63'),
van Dijk (83')
Canada0 —

Starting lineups:

Netherlands (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Verbruggen (GK) — 2. Geertruida, 3. de Ligt (de Vrij, 71'), 17. Blind (van Dijk, 71'), 15. Van de Ven — 24. Schouten, 8. Wijnaldum, 26. Gravenberch (Veerman, 85') — 12. Frimpong (Bergwijn, 62'), 19. Brobbey (Weghorst, 62'), 10. Depay (Malen, 62').

Canada (4-4-2, right to left): 1. St. Clair — 2. Johnston (Zator, 56'), 15. Bombito, 13. Cornelius, 19. Davies — 17. Buchanan (Brym, 56'), 8. Kone (Piette, 78'), 7. Eustaquio (Choiniere, 70'), 23. Millar (Shaffelburg, 46') — 20. David, 9. Larin (Hoilett, 70').

Canada vs. Netherlands goals

50th min: Memphis Depay opened the scoring five minutes after the halftime break as Jeremie Frimpong's cross was put on a platter at the top of the six-yard box, and Depay got away from Alistair Johnston for the poked finish. For as well as Canada played defensively in the first half, this was far too easy for the Dutch.

57th min: Just seven minutes after the opener, Jeremie Frimpong went from creator to finisher as he caught Alphonso Davies way high up the pitch. It took just two passes for the Dutch to go from their own third to Frimpong running on goal, and while Davies managed to track back and make a quality tackle on Frimpong in the penalty area, the ball fell right back to the Bayer Leverkusen winger's feet, and he finished with his left from a tight angle.

63rd min: The Dutch ran away with the match shortly after, as Wout Weghorst came off the bench to score a third for the hosts. A weak effort from outside the top of the penalty area was stopped by Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, but the ball squirted out of his grasp and Weghorst pounced to poke it into the net. It was a poor effort from St. Clair who is fighting for the starting spot with Maxime Crepeau.

83rd min: Another combination error saw the Netherlands cap off the scoring with seven minutes to go, as Virgil van Dijk bagged a fourth for the Dutch with a header that never should have found the net. A poor corner didn't beat the first man, but still somehow squirted through into the six-yard box anyways, and it wasn't dealt with properly, popped straight up into the air.

As it came down, Dayne St. Clair raced out to challenge, but didn't arrive in time, leaving the Liverpool defender with an open net to head the ball into. Yet again, individual errors saw the Canadians concede.

Canada vs. Netherlands stats

NetherlandsStatCanada
20Shots6
11Shots on target2
61%Possession39%
536Passes316
4Corners5
0Yellow cards1

Canada vs. Netherlands lineups, team news, starting 11

The Dutch are missing Frenkie de Jong due to an ankle injury that ruined the final portion of his season with Barcelona, but otherwise are fully healthy for this match.

It appears head coach Ronald Koeman has elected to start a number of backups, choosing to leave Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo on the bench among others.

Netherlands starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Verbruggen (GK) — Geertruida, de Ligt, Blind, Van de Ven — Schouten, Wijnaldum, Gravenberch — Frimpong, Brobbey, Depay.

Netherlands subs (12): Biljow (GK), Flekken (GK), Ake, de Vrij, an Dijk, Dumfries, Veerman, Simons, Gakpo, Malen, Bergwijn, Weghorst.

In his first match in charge of Canada, Jesse Marsch has gone with a fully loaded starting XI, including stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.

Marsch has elected to put Davies at left-back, where he surely will end up getting forward with the other three defenders forming a back-three on the ball.

Canada starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): St. Clair — Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies — Buchanan, Kone, Eustaquio, Millar — David, Larin.

Canada subs (1): Crepeau (GK), McGill (GK), Zator, K. Miller, Hiebert, Shaffelburg, Osorio, Choiniere, Laryea, Piette, Brym, Ugbo, Hoilett, Oluwayseyi, Blair.

Canada vs. Netherlands stats, head-to-head record

Canada and the Netherlands have never met before on the international stage, meaning this will be the first time they match up in an official game.

Netherlands winsDrawsCanada wins
000

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.