Netherlands 4-0 Finland: Depay's score helps Netherland closer to qualification

Memphis Depay scored one and assisted two as he helped the Netherlands take a step closer to World Cup qualification with a 4-0 win over Finland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Match Report

Memphis Depay scored one and assisted two as he helped the Netherlands take a step closer to World Cup qualification with a 4-0 win over Finland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Donyell Malen, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo also got on the scoresheet for Ronald Koeman's side in a routine victory that moved them six points clear at the top of Group G.

It took just eight minutes for the Netherlands to find a breakthrough, with Malen playing a lovely one-two with Depay to open up space on the edge of the box and rifle his effort into the top-right corner.

Just nine minutes later, Van Dijk doubled their lead. Depay whipped in an inch-perfect free-kick from the right, and the captain stooped to head it past Jesse Joronen.

Jurrien Timber then rattled the crossbar with a looping header after Malen had squandered two chances, but the Netherlands got their third from the spot in the 38th minute.

Miro Tenho was penalised for a handball in the box, and Depay made no mistake from 12 yards, picking out the bottom-right corner after a stuttering run-up.

A late Finland flurry in the first half came to nothing, and the Netherlands struggled to break down their visitors in the second, until the 84th minute.

Xavi Simons picked out an unmarked Gakpo on the edge of the box, and he added some late gloss to the scoreline, rifling his effort into the back of the net off the inside of the post.

Data Debrief: Goal-hungry Netherlands close in on World Cup

The Netherlands strengthened their grip on top spot of their group on Sunday with a routine victory for the second time this international break. 

And, they have now scored at least three goals in three consecutive matches for the first time since September-October 2019.

Depay, the Oranje's all-time top-scorer, more than played his part. He has now contributed to goals in his last 12 World Cup qualifiers (17 goals, eight assists).

The Netherlands had 17 shots in total, worth 2.35 expected goals (xG), while Finland struggled to test their hosts, having just seven attempts worth 0.66 xG.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

8' GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Finland (Donyell Malen)

17' GOAL! Netherlands 2-0 Finland (Virgil van Dijk)

22' Match Event for Netherlands vs Finland

32' Match Event for Netherlands vs Finland

35' Highlight from Netherlands vs Finland

38' Penalty Goal! Netherlands 3-0 Finland (Memphis Depay)

48' Match Event for Netherlands vs Finland

65' Highlight from Netherlands vs Finland

84' GOAL! Netherlands 4-0 Finland (Cody Gakpo)

86' Highlight from Netherlands vs Finland

87' Match Event for Netherlands vs Finland

Line-ups

Netherlands XI: Depay, Van Dijk, Dumfries, De Jong, Kluivert, Gakpo, Malen, Gravenberch, Timber, Bart Verbruggen, Van de Ven

Subs: De Vrij, Ake, Mark Flekken, Weghorst, Koopmeiners, Schouten, Reijnders, Jeremie Frimpong, Jan Paul van Hecke, Xavi Simons, Robin Roefs, Quilindschy Hartman

Finland XI: Nikolai Alho, Jesse Joronen, Miro Tenho, Kaan Kairinen, Adam Ståhl, Santeri Väänänen, Oliver Antman, Ville Koski, Leo Walta, Topi Keskinen, Juho Lähteenmäki

Subs: Pukki, Jere Uronen, Pohjanpalo, Robin Lod, Benjamin Källman, Juhani Pikkarainen, Viljami Sinisalo, Naatan Skyttä, Matti Peltola, Casper Terho, Bergstrom, Adrian Svanbäck