Soccer
Netherlands turned on the style to hammer Malta 8-0 in Groningen and make it two wins from as many World Cup qualifiers.
Memphis Depay opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Justin Kluivert was felled by Juan Corbalan and the same man doubled the lead after 16 minutes with a thunderous strike into the roof of the net, which saw him draw level with Robin van Persie on 50 international goals – the joint-most for a Netherlands player.
Virgil van Dijk lashed home a powerful edge-of-the-box effort as the Dutch led 3-0 at the break and Depay teed up Xavi Simons to make if four from a tight angle just after the hour.
Donyell Malen struck a first-time shot from the edge of the box to stretch the lead and turned provider for Noa Lang to make it six with a simple tap-in by the 78th minute.
Aston Villa forward Malen had his second of the evening with a well-placed strike and Micky van de Ven completed the rout in injury time with a powerful strike after breaking from defence.
Ronald Koeman’s men sit second in Group G of UEFA World Cup qualifying but have played two games fewer than table-toppers Finland.
Great night in Groningen! #NothingLikeOranje #NEDMLT pic.twitter.com/MyeUMK6zwq
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 10, 2025
Data Debrief: Dutch delight as Malta humiliated
It was an absolute riot for the Dutch, who last scored as many as seven goals in a game against Gibraltar back in March 2021.
They have scored in each of their last 15 games in UEFA World Cup qualifiers, scoring 51 goals in that run. Moreover, it is now three clean sheets in a row in World Cup qualifiers.
Depay’s double means he has now scored in five consecutive World Cup qualifiers, netting eight in total in that run.
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