Netherlands qualify for 2026 World Cup

November 18, 2025 / 1:34 PM

Sharjah24: The Netherlands national football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals for the 12th time in its history after a commanding 4-0 victory over Lithuania in Amsterdam. The match was part of the eighth round of Group G in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

AC Milan midfielder Tijani Reinders scored first in the 16th minute. Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo scored from a penalty in the 58th minute, then Aston Villa’s Xavi Simons and Donny Malen scored in the 60th and 62nd minutes respectively, securing the Netherlands’ top spot in the group with 20 points—three more than their closest rival, Poland, who narrowly beat Malta 3-2.

The Dutch team only needed a draw to qualify, having previously finished as runners-up in the World Cup final three times (1974, 1978, and 2010). After missing the 2018 World Cup in Russia, this marks the Netherlands’ second successive qualification.

Early pressure and chances

From the start, the Netherlands dominated, aiming for an early goal. Gakpo nearly scored with a close-range header from a cross by Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but Lithuanian goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas made a crucial save in the 11th minute. Malen then followed up with a powerful shot from inside the box, comfortably saved by Gertmonas in the 13th minute.

The pressure paid off in the 16th minute when de Jong intercepted a pass from Lithuanian defender Artemijus Tutiskenas near the edge of the penalty area and passed Reinders, who slid the ball past the goalkeeper. This was Reinders’ second goal in eight qualifying matches.

Memphis Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer, attempted a header from a corner taken by captain and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, but Gertmonas tipped it over the line in the 18th minute. Reinders came close again in the 31st minute with a powerful outside-foot shot that hit the right post, whilst Arsenal defender Jurian Timber also narrowly missed after a pass from Gakpo in the 39th minute.

Lithuanian counter and penalty decision

Lithuania nearly equalised on their first significant chance when Thomas Kalinoskas headed the ball, which Manchester City defender Nathan Aké blocked before he could shoot, and then he volleyed over the goal guarded by Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen in the 53rd minute.

The Netherlands were awarded a penalty after a VAR review for handball by Tutiskenas following a header by Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt. Gakpo confidently converted it in the 58th minute.

Simons scored his third goal in the 60th minute after receiving a pass from Depay, outsmarting the Lithuanian defence before firing a powerful shot past Gertmonas. Malen added the final goal in the 62nd minute following a quick counterattack, receiving a pass from Reinders, dribbling past a defender, and finishing inside the box.

Lithuania’s substitute defender, Markus Benita, missed a chance to pull level with a close-range header over an open goal in the 69th minute.

Poland’s narrow win

Within the same group, Poland secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Malta. Poland twice took the lead through Barcelona captain Robert Lewandowski (32’) and Legia Warsaw midfielder Pavel Wsowlik (59’), while Malta equalised through Saint-Étienne’s Irvin Cardona (36’) and Rennes’ Teddy Teuma (68’). Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński scored the decisive winner five minutes from the end.