Cody Gakpo played a starring role for the Netherlands as they won 4-0 against Lithuania to send them to the 2026 World Cup.
Ronald Koeman’s side had all but secured their place at next year’s tournament, but three goals in four second-half minutes ensured there were no nerves in their final match.
Lithuania were caught from behind in the 16th minute when Tijjani Reijnders spun to meet Frenkie de Jong’s through ball and fire his effort into the top left corner.
He probably should have gotten a second shortly after; he broke through the defense again, but deflected his shot from outside the boot of the left post.
Lithuania offered little threat but a second-half collapse meant there was no way back into the match after Artemijus Tutyskinas was penalized for a handball.
Gakpo confidently slotted home the resulting penalty in the 58th minute, with Xavi Simons adding a second just two minutes later. He latched onto Gakpo’s low cross and curled his effort around the defender and into the roof of the net.
Donyell Malen then added some sparkle to the score, racing forward down the right after a Lithuanian corner was rounded, and he cut inside to poke a powerful shot past a helpless Edvinas Gertmonas.
Substitute Emmanuel Emegha hit the post late, but for the Netherlands the job was already done. They finish three points clear in Group G of Poland, who defeated Malta 3-2 to secure their play-off place.
WORLD CUP, HERE WE COME!
@FIFAWorldCup #NothingLikeOrange #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/g0ZHeNwssZ
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 17, 2025
Data Debrief: Premier League stars shine for the Dutch team
For the first time in history, four Premier League players have found the net in one match for the Netherlands, who completed their qualifying campaign in style.
Despite dominating the first half with eight shots and 78.9% of the ball, they struggled to score goals. But they found their solution after the break, generating 2.2 expected goals (xG) from 12 attempts.
The Netherlands are now undefeated in their last 17 World Cup qualifiers, the longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2010).
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