Netherlands beat Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam, scoring three times after the break to seal top spot in Group G and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Netherlands sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 victory over Lithuania in Amsterdam. Ronald Koeman’s side needed only a draw to guarantee top spot in Group G, but they delivered a confident performance. The Dutch controlled the match from the first whistle and finished the campaign unbeaten.
Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring in the 16th minute after good pressure forced a turnover. Frenkie de Jong slipped a smart ball into his path and the midfielder lashed his finish high into the net. Lithuania struggled to cope with the Dutch tempo and rarely advanced beyond midfield.
The Netherlands dominated possession in the first half, finishing with nearly 80 percent of the ball. They created several openings and struck the post through Reijnders, who could have doubled the lead. Lithuania defended narrowly and kept the score to 1-0 at the interval.
Koeman urged more intensity after the break, and his players responded immediately. The hosts pushed higher and forced Lithuania into mistakes. Their pressure created a decisive run of three goals in four minutes.
The Dutch doubled their lead in the 58th minute after a handball inside the box. Cody Gakpo stepped up and swept a composed penalty into the corner. Two minutes later, Gakpo turned provider with a low cross from the left.
Xavi Simons met the delivery first time and curled his shot beyond Edvinas Gertmonas. The momentum stayed with the Netherlands. Donyell Malen added the fourth goal in the 62nd minute with a quick counterattack after a Lithuania corner. He sprinted down the right, cut inside and fired a low effort past the keeper.
Reijnders was sharp throughout the match, scoring once and hitting the post. Gakpo impressed again with a goal and an assist, while Simons produced a composed finish for the third. Malen’s solo strike highlighted the threat the Dutch carried in transition.
The Netherlands ended the game with 20 shots and an expected goals total of 2.2. They finish the group with 27 goals scored and just four conceded. Lithuania managed only two shots on target and saw very little of the ball.
The Netherlands head to the World Cup as one of Europe’s in-form sides. Koeman will now focus on building depth and preparing his squad for tougher tests ahead. Lithuania end their campaign near the bottom of the group and must rebuild before the next qualifying cycle.
