The Netherlands a little later began its participation in the qualifying rounds for next year's World Championships. Before today's meeting, she played and won only one meeting – Saturday with Finland (2: 0). It may not be a demonstration of the strength of Ronald Koeman's team, but from the beginning no one was arguing with the fact that it was the Dutch were a brick favorite to win a direct promotion to the World Cup.
Netherlands – Malta. Domination of groups of Poles
The last team from group I, which in any way can threaten the runners -up of the world from 2010, is of course Malta. Cinderella of our group, which so far collected only a “eye” (thanks to a draw with Lithuania). Ronald Koeman was also aware of the low potential of the Maltese team, who in the composition of today's match put on rotation. On the reserve bench, the meeting was started by Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders – normally confident to the top eleven.
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However, the lack of these players did not matter. Already in the first half of Tuesday's clash, the Dutch marked their dominance. It was the 9th minute when Justin Kluivert was fouled in the penalty area by the rivals' defender. The judge needed to use the VAR monitor to be sure of his decision, but finally pointed to lime. Memphis Depay approached the eleven and made the hosts go to the lead.
The next goal scored seven minutes later. Denzel Dumfries sent a cross on the ground, Frankie de Jong passed the ball, and Depay hit from around the sixteenth meter. Henry Bonello had no chance to stop the strong shot flying in the window – it was already 2: 0 for the Netherlands. And the works of destruction in the first half completed the Koeman's players in the 20th minute, after a beautiful shot (and earlier intercourse) of Virgil Van Dijka from before the penalty area.
In the second half, the hosts did not have to do much anymore, but they still moved regularly with dangerous attacks. Finally, in the 61st minute, Depay sent a perpendicular pass in the penalty area to Xavi Simons, and he defeated Bonello with a shot at a long post, leading the Netherlands at 4: 0. The Koeman team played so well that the coach gave the chance to show up another reserve. Such as Noa Lang, Wout Weghorst or Donyell Malen.
And they also “demolished” rivals. Van der Wen in the 75th minute crossed the ball into the penalty area, and the mentioned Malen directed it to the net from close range. Five minutes later, Lang entered the list of shooters in a similar style. And seven minutes later, Malen entertained the defenders in the penalty area and shot at the post, the Netherlands won 7: 0. So it didn't matter who Koeman appointed to the game – the Netherlands was just fantastic today. Before the end of the meeting, the result was finally increased by Van de Ven, who used another great cross of the hosts.
Thanks to today's victory, our group rivals have 6 points. The hero of the day turned out to be Memphis Depay, who not only recorded two goals and assist, but equated with Robin Van Pers in the number of goals for the national team of the Netherlands. They both have 50 hits.
Netherlands – Malta 8: 0 (3: 0)
Gates: Depay 9 ', Depay 16', Van Dijk 20 ', Simons 61', Malen 74 ', Lang 78', Malen 80 ', Van de Ven 90+2'
Netherlands: Flekken – Dumfries (Geertruida 79 '), De Vrij, Van Dijk, Van de Ven – Gravenberch (Wieffer 46'), Kluivert, de Jong – Simons, Depay (Malen 73 '), Gakpo (Lang 46')
Malt: Bonello – Corbalan (Tuma 46 '), Bohrer Mentz, Carragher, Camenzuli (Azzopardi 81') – Guaillaumier, Satariano (Beerman 81 ') – Teuma (Jones 60') – Overend (Shaw 46 '), P. Mbong, J. Mbong
Yellow cards: Guaillaumier 56 ', Lang 64'
Euroborg, Groningen
Judge: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea