The Netherlands walked away from Kaunas with three factors on Sunday, nevertheless it was removed from routine. Ronald Koeman’s facet edged out Lithuania 3-2 in a World Cup qualifier that swung forwards and backwards and briefly threatened to show into an upset.
Softfootball reported that Memphis Depay was once more the headline act within the eleventh minute; he latched onto Cody Gakpo’s cross and guided it residence. That objective was his 51st worldwide strike, taking him away from Robin van Persie because the nation’s all-time high scorer. The guests doubled their benefit quickly after when Quinten Timber prodded in a free ball for his first Oranje objective.
That ought to have been the cue for a cushty night. As an alternative, the Dutch defence switched off, and Lithuania pounced. Justas Lasickas carved the guests open on the counter and arrange Gvidas Gineitis, who calmly slotted in off the put up. Moments later, Edvinas Girdvainis climbed highest at a free-kick to nod previous Bart Verbruggen, and all of a sudden the scoreboard learn 2-2 at halftime.
The restart introduced extra nerves for Koeman’s males, however Depay, stuffed with intent all evening, restored order on 64 minutes. Denzel Dumfries whipped in a cross from the fitting, and Depay powered his header down into the web as reduction greater than pleasure unfold throughout the Dutch bench.
The Netherlands loved the end result and posted a picture of their poster boy, Memphis Depay, and the scoreline on their official X account.
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Lithuania, ranked far beneath their guests, by no means went away. They pressed late on, and the Netherlands had possibilities to kill the competition; Gakpo hit the bar, whereas Donyell Malen noticed a end dominated out for a foul, however ultimately, the slender lead was sufficient.
For the Dutch, the win retains them excellent in Group G with ten factors from 4 matches, although questions stay about their defensive lapses. As for Lithuania, spirited as they have been, the street to their first-ever World Cup now appears an extended one.
