With a 2-0 victory over Qatar to finish first in Group A, Cody Gakpo netted in his third straight World Cup game as the Netherlands easily advanced to the knockout round.
Gakpo, a PSV attacker who has been one of the tournament’s breakout stars, once again dazzled at Al Bayt Stadium, setting the Oranje up for victory with a precise goal in the 26th minute.
A second goal from Frenkie de Jong ensured a straightforward victory to clinch first place in the pool as Senegal defeated Ecuador in another match.
Memphis Depay’s hamstring injury likely would not have allowed Gakpo to have played such a significant part thus far, but the two started together on Tuesday and will now look to team up once more in the round of 16 against the Group B runners-up.
With Depay in the lineup, the Netherlands immediately appeared more dangerous, even though he was unable to capitalize on a bustle in the box early on, which forced Daley Blind to aim blandly at Meshaal Barsham and promptly miss.
Instead, Gakpo once again came through after a great play, passing the ball to Davy Klaassen and taking it back to hammer a solid finish into the bottom-right corner.
Four minutes into the second half, poor defending by Qatar allowed Louis van Gaal’s team to extend their lead when Depay’s shot was blocked by Barsham and De Jong was able to race past two defenders to the rebound just in front of the goal.
The Netherlands’ place was never in jeopardy despite Steven Berghuis’ third goal being disallowed for a handball by Gakpo during the build-up and the substitute also hitting the crossbar in stoppage time.
What does it mean? Oranje go on the offensive
The Netherlands had attempted only 12 shots worth a combined 0.8 expected goals across their first two matches, outperforming only Costa Rica in each metric.
Qatar made for accommodating opponents on Tuesday, but Depay’s return alongside Gakpo led to a far more dangerous display. The Oranje produced 13 attempts worth 1.6 xG in this game alone.
Another crucial Gakpo goal
Any Netherlands nerves were eased by another opening goal from Gakpo, who had broken the deadlock against both Senegal and Ecuador.
He is the fourth Oranje player to net in three straight World Cup appearances and only the second player from any nation to open the scoring three times in the same group stage at a finals, along with Italy’s Alessandro Altobelli in the first round in 1986.
Unwanted records for hosts
In conceding seven goals in the group stage and losing three matches, Qatar set new records for hosts at a World Cup finals. This was not the sort of history they set out to make 10 days ago.
Key Opta Stats:
– Netherlands have progressed from their first-round group in all nine attempts at the World Cup; this is the best 100 per cent opening group record by any nation at the finals.
– The Oranje have won eight of their last nine group-stage games at the World Cup, while in all rounds, they are now unbeaten in their last 10 at the tournament (W7 D3).
– Gakpo became the first player to score in all three matches in a single group at a World Cup for the Netherlands, and first to do so for any European nation since 2002 (Tomasson, Klose and Wilmots).
– De Jong scored only his second ever goal for the Netherlands, and first since September 2019 in a European Championship qualifier against Germany.
– Netherlands had more shots (13) and as many shots on target (4) in this match against Qatar as they attempted in their first two 2022 World Cup games against Senegal and Ecuador combined (12 shots, 4 on target).
What’s next?
The Netherlands will learn the identity of their last-16 opponents later on Tuesday, as Qatar reflect on a gruelling first World Cup experience.