Van Gerwen had to come from 4-2 down to see off De Sousa and produced a clinical deciding leg just as the Portuguese ace saw his scoring drop off.
The revival started with a 112 checkout to hold and make it 4-3 and it was soon parity with De Sousa way back as Van Gerwen hit an 11-darter to break and took control.
He went one away with a 79 checkout on double 11 and after De Sousa missed darts to force a decider, it was MVG's turn as he missed a dart for the win.
But he left 47 after nine taking it out in clinical fashion for the win.
Peter Wright on the other hand will head home after Gabriel Clemens produced a remarkable comeback to continue his superb record against 'Snakebite'.
Clemens came back from 5-2 down to edge through 6-5 with a 103.2 average with some rare form on the European Tour.
Wright missed a match dart from 71 and Clemens picked his pocket in the decider on double 18. A late call-up this weekend due to injury for Cameron Menzies and one he has made good on.
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Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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VICTORY FOR VAN GERWEN! 🇳🇱
More darting drama in Wieze!
Michael van Gerwen fires in a 12-dart hold to overcome Jose de Sousa in a last-leg decider, as he begins his bid for Belgian Darts Open glory!
🔜 Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh
📺 bit.ly/23EuroTourLive | #ET7