Memphis Depay has written his title into the historical past books in Sunday evening’s 3-2 victory over Lithuania in Konya. The 31-year-old ahead scored his 51st aim for the Netherlands of their World Cup qualifier in opposition to Lithuania. The aim, a close-range end from a Cody Gakpo cross within the twelfth minute, pushed him previous Robin van Persie’s long-standing document of fifty.
Softfootball understands that Depay made his debut for the Oranje again in 2013 and has been a daily star for the Dutch ever since. This strike got here in his 104th worldwide look, drawing him stage with Dirk Kuijt because the nation’s joint-most capped outfield participant, a document he can personal outright within the Netherlands’ subsequent video games.
The Netherlands introduced the brand new document damaged through its official X account:
They Posted:
In one other publish on the workforce’s official X account, the publish referenced his accomplishment and paid homage to how deadly the star is; in addition they posted a video of the scenes on the stadium the second the document was damaged.
They Posted:
Watch the video beneath:
Depay wasn’t on the scoresheet when the Netherlands have been held 1-1 by Poland, however he ensured he made his mark on this one, and the highest of the Dutch scoring chart now reads Depay (51), Van Persie (50), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (42), and Patrick Kluivert (40). Arjen Robben and Dennis Bergkamp sit simply behind with 37 apiece.
What makes Depay’s achievement stand out is the corporate he now retains. Dutch soccer has produced attacking greats Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Van Persie himself, and Depay is now above all of them in targets for the nationwide facet.
He equalled Van Persie’s document earlier this summer time with a brace in opposition to Malta, however needed to wait till the conflict with Lithuania to maneuver clear. Having been criticised at instances for inconsistency, Depay has proven exceptional longevity. At 31, he stays a key determine in Ronald Koeman’s plans.
With extra qualifiers to come back, the hole between Depay and the chasing pack is just prone to widen. His title is now etched on the very high of Dutch soccer’s scoring charts.
