Three-time World Cup runners-up Netherlands sealed their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-0 win over Lithuania on Monday, finishing top of Group G. The Dutch ended their qualifying campaign unbeaten with 20 points, three ahead of second-placed Poland.
How the Dutch Dominated
Tijjani Reijnders put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, finishing a neat pass from Frenkie de Jong. Returning to the starting XI after missing the Poland match, Reijnders almost doubled the lead half an hour in, striking the post with a curling effort.
A burst of three goals in four minutes early in the second half sealed the match. Cody Gakpo converted a 58th-minute penalty following a VAR check for handball. Two minutes later, Xavi Simons weaved past defenders to fire in the third, before Donyell Malen’s blistering counter-attack made it 4-0 on the hour mark.
Poland kept the pressure on with a tight 3-2 win over Malta but could not catch the Dutch, who remained the only unbeaten team in the group.
De Jong: ‘Now the real work begins’
“I think there were some good moments,” said De Jong after the match. “We dipped at times, but that spell after halftime was great. We want to keep improving and reach the World Cup in the best shape.”
The 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will mark the Netherlands’ 12th World Cup appearance. The Dutch have previously finished runners-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010.
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