Netherlands 4-0 Lithuania, win ticket to World Cup 2026 thanks to unbeaten
The Netherlands dominated at Johan Cruijff ArenA: Reijnders opened the scoring, Gakpo scored a penalty after VAR, exploded with 3 goals in the 58th-62nd minute; xG 3.0-0.76; kept the top spot in Group G.
In just six explosive minutes in the second half, the Netherlands finished off the match against Lithuania to win 4-0, closing out the qualifying round with the top spot in Group G, a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup Finals and an unbeaten streak. At the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the home team completely controlled the match and did not concede a goal.
The decisive 6-minute explosion
The turning point came after a VAR situation. In the 55th minute, the ball hit Artemijus Tutyskinas' hand in the penalty area. After checking VAR, the referee awarded the Netherlands a penalty and Cody Gakpo increased the score to 2-0 in the 58th minute.
Two minutes later, Gakpo crossed for Xavi Simons to handle neatly in the penalty area and then finished into the top of the net, minute 60. Just two more minutes, minute 62, from a quick counter-attack after a corner kick by Lithuania, Tijjani Reijnders passed the ball to Donyell Malen who accelerated and defeated goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas, making it 4-0.
Main features: early control, late termination
The Netherlands entered the match with the initiative and constant pressure. In the 16th minute, Frenkie de Jong made a smart pass, Reijnders escaped and finished diagonally to open the score. Virgil van Dijk almost doubled the gap after a corner kick but Gertmonas saved it in time.
Before the break, Reijnders threatened again with a skillful outside-of-the-foot shot that hit the post. The first half ended 1-0, reflecting a one-sided game despite the slight margin.
After the break, the home team picked up the pace. VAR awarded a penalty to Gakpo, then a sharp moment from Simons and a perfect counter-attack finished by Malen. Between the 58th and 62nd minutes, the Netherlands scored three goals in a row, turning the remaining minutes into a time of controlling the tempo and preserving the advantage.
Tactical angle: through balls and transitions
The opening goal illustrated the Dutch idea: control the middle with de Jong as the signal station, breaking the defensive block with a through ball for Reijnders to run straight into space. When Lithuania pushed high from set pieces, the home side switched quickly, using Malen’s pace to punish the space in behind. Layers of passing and backpassing were neatly executed through Gakpo – Simons for the third goal.
At the end of the match, the Netherlands took the initiative to slow down but still maintained a good defensive structure, thereby keeping a clean sheet.
Selected statistics
- xG: Netherlands 3.0 – Lithuania 0.76
- Decisive scoring streak: 3 goals in 5 minutes of play (58-62)
- The Netherlands finished the qualifying round unbeaten and topped Group G.
| Minute | Player | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 16' | Tijjani Reijnders | Frenkie de Jong's through ball |
| 58' | Cody Gakpo | Penalty after VAR |
| 60' | Xavi Simons | Gakpo's Creation |
| 62' | Donyell Malen | Quick counter-attack, Reijnders created |
Impact on the 2026 World Cup
The 4-0 victory officially helped the Netherlands win a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals with the top spot in Group G. A convincing performance, from controlling the game to the ability to explode at the right time, laid a positive mental foundation for the upcoming summer.
Final score:Netherlands 4-0 Lithuania
