Holland bounced back from their opening European qualifying defeat against France to inflict a 3-0 win over minnows Gibraltar on Monday evening.
2024 EURO qualification
3-0
Match Report
Memphis Depay bagged his 44th national team goal for Ronald Koeman's side after opening the scoring with a strike in the 23rd minute. But it was an evening that saw Manchester City defender Nathan Ake steal the show.
The centre-back has become a mainstay under City boss Pep Guardiola this season due to his impressive defending, but against Gibraltar it was his eye for a goal that stunned Holland's lower-ranked opposition.
Ake first doubled his nation's lead at Feyenoord's Stadium in the 50th minute with a powerful header from the middle of the box before opposition winger Liam Walker was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Mats Wieffer a minute later.
From there it was a case of damage limitation for the visitors who found themselves further punished in the 82nd minute as Ake hammered home a brilliant effort from outside the box.
Gibraltar have lost their two opening European qualifiers and face the prospect of facing Kylian Mbappe's France next who beat a staunch Ireland side 1-0 on the same evening.
Line-ups
Netherlands XI: Wijnaldum, Berghuis, Cillessen, Depay, Ake, Van Dijk, Weghorst, Dumfries, De Ligt, Mats Wieffer, Xavi Simons
Subs: Blind, De Roon, Klaassen, Mark Flekken, Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Tyrell Malacia, Gravenberch, Jurrien Timber, Kenneth Taylor, Brian Brobbey, Bart Verbruggen
Gibraltar XI: Liam Walker, Bernardo Lopes, Dayle Coleing, Jack Sergeant, Jamie Coombes, Roy Chipolina, Lee Casciaro, Ethan Britto, Graeme Torrilla, Kian Ronan
Subs: Joseph Chipolina, Reece Styche, Aymen Mouelhi, Bradley Banda, Ethan Jolley, Jayce Olivero, Michael Yome, Julian Valarino, Ethan Santos, Nicholas Pozo, Anthony Hernández, Niels Hartman