Courtesy of goals from Cody Gakpo and Frenkie De Jong, Netherlands defeated host-nation Qatar 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium to advanced to the next round of the FIFA World Cup.
The Netherlands came into the game having won their first encounter against Senegal. The most recent game between the Oranje and Ecuador finished in a 1-1 tie after Enner Valencia successfully challenged Cody Gakpo’s initial score.
Louis van Gaal’s men were expected to win by a wide margin in order to win the group, and they certainly did so in the end.
⏱️ Full time score:
?? Netherlands 2-0 Qatar ??#NED | #QAT | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/5oJCfmjkm9
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 29, 2022
With a superb run and finish for his third goal of the competition, Cody Gakpo scored the opening goal of the game. With a few far-off half-chances for Qatar, the Oranje were in complete command.
Frenkie De Jong scored from close range four minutes into the second half to increase Netherlands’ lead.
Memphis Depay tried to score from close range after Klassen produced a cross to the back post, but Barsham stopped him with an incredible reflex save.
De Jong was the quickest to react to the rebound, and he increased their lead by shooting into an open goal to clinch the victory and all three points.
The Netherlands just required one point to move on to the second round of the event after collecting four points from their opening two games. They eventually managed to score a respectable three points, though, to win their group.
FT: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
?? 26' Gakpo
?? 49' De JongQatar finish their debut #FIFAWorldCup campaign with zero points and a solitary goal.#NED cruise into the knockouts and will play the runners-up in Group B.#NEDQAT pic.twitter.com/NJNINbxj0a
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 29, 2022
Qatar already exited the competition at the group stage after losing their first two games to Senegal and Ecuador.