The Netherlands, three-times World Cup runners-up, guaranteed their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals with a convincing 4-0 home victory over Lithuania on Monday. The win ensured the Dutch finished atop Group G, completing their unbeaten campaign three points clear of second-placed Poland.
The Netherlands dominated the match, though the scoring accelerated in the second half on 16th Minute (1-0) Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring in the first half, turning sharply to finish off a pass from Frenkie de Jong. Reijnders, who was excluded from the starting lineup in the previous match, reminded observers of his quality and nearly scored a second, hitting the post later in the half, on58th Minute (2-0). The rapid second-half scoring spree began when Cody Gakpo converted a penalty, awarded after a VAR check identified a handball by Lithuania's Artemijus Tutyskinas.
On 60th Minute (3-0): Xavi Simons thrashed home the third goal, showcasing power and skill by jockeying past two defenders before unleashing a powerful strike, at 62nd Minute (4-0): Donyell Malen completed the four-minute scoring burst, breaking away on a counter-attack from the halfway line, outsprinting the defense, and hammering the ball home.
The Netherlands finished the qualifying campaign on 20 points, with Poland finishing second on 17 points after a narrow 3-2 victory against Malta. Playmaker Frenkie de Jong praised the team's performance, especially the burst of goals after halftime, noting that while 4-0 was a fine result, "Now the real work begins. We're going to improve as much as possible and arrive at the World Cup in the best possible shape."
This will be the 12th time the Dutch have participated in the World Cup, aiming to finally win the trophy after losing finals in 1974, 1978, and 2010.
