Weghorst Returns From World Cup Clash With Messi and Lifts Netherlands to Beat Poland at Euro 2024

Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands (L) celebrates his side's second goal with his team mates during a Group D match between Poland and the Netherlands at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, on June 16, 2024. Jens Buettner/dpa via AP

HAMBURG, Germany—Being barked at by Lionel Messi in a testy post-game exchange that became a viral meme was a strange way for Wout Weghorst to leave the 2022 World Cup after his goals had set up an epic quarterfinal drama.

The Netherlands forward’s return to major tournament action Sunday was a happy event—again scoring late off the bench and this time decisively in a 2–1 win over Poland to begin a European Championship group that includes title favorite France.