Cody Gakpo scored once more because the Netherlands booked their place within the World Cup final 16 as group winners with an easy 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar on Tuesday. The Netherlands, needing only a level to make certain of progressing, put one foot within the subsequent spherical inside the primary half-hour as Gakpo scored for a 3rd straight group recreation. Frenkie de Jong added one other within the forty ninth minute because the Dutch cruised via in a flat environment on the Al Bayt Stadium. Qatar, already eradicated earlier than kick-off, suffered the ignominy of changing into the primary dwelling crew in World Cup historical past to complete the group stage with no level.
Louis van Gaal’s Dutch facet ended with seven factors on the high of Group A, whereas Senegal joined them within the knockout part as runners-up after beating Ecuador 2-1.
The Oranje will subsequent tackle the second-placed crew from Group B for a quarter-final spot on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium on Saturday.
England at present high that part and face Wales in a while Tuesday, whereas the USA play Iran. All 4 groups are nonetheless within the hunt for qualification.
The Dutch have made a strong begin as they appear to place the frustration of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia firmly behind them.
Qatar signed off from their long-awaited dwelling World Cup with a whimper, securing their place within the document books because the worst ever hosts on the pitch.
Van Gaal was capable of give Memphis Depay his first begin of the event because the Barcelona star continued his return to full health after a hamstring harm.
It didn’t take the Dutch lengthy to slice via the Qatar defence, though Daley Blind may solely scuff a fourth-minute try straight at goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.
The opening purpose arrived within the twenty sixth minute as Davy Klaassen performed in Gakpo after a neat transfer additionally involving Depay.
The PSV Eindhoven winger drove ahead and drilled a low strike into the underside nook from the sting of the field to attain his third purpose of the event.
The three-time World Cup runners-up took benefit of shoddy Qatar defending to double their benefit 4 minutes after the break.
Depay was denied from shut vary by Barsham however De Jong reacted faster than a ponderous Pedro Miguel to poke the ball dwelling from barely a yard out.
Substitute Steven Berghuis thought he had added a 3rd halfway via the second half, just for his purpose to be dominated out after a VAR test for a handball by Gakpo within the build-up.
There was temporary pleasure for the remaining dwelling supporters late on when Mohammed Muntari prodded the ball into the web, however the whistle had lengthy since gone for a foul on Virgil van Dijk.
The Netherlands nearly piled extra distress onto Qatar in stoppage time when Berghuis’ wonderful curling strike from vary hit the crossbar.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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