The Netherlands launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification with a composed 2-0 away win against Finland, courtesy of goals from Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries. Ronald Koeman’s side, under pressure after Poland’s early wins in Group G, delivered an assertive performance to move within three points of the top with a game in hand.
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A clinical start ensured full control in Helsinki, with the Dutch asserting themselves through early goals and disciplined game management. Depay opened the scoring just six minutes in, capitalizing on a defensive blunder by Finland’s Kaan Kairinen to slot a low finish into the far corner.
Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, earning his 100th cap, had little chance with either goal, despite later pulling off several sharp saves. Dumfries doubled the lead midway through the half with a powerful strike after meeting Cody Gakpo’s curling cross at the back post.
FIFA 2026: Dutch Midfield Power and Defensive Solidity Shine
Koeman finally deployed his preferred midfield trio—Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, and Tijjani Reijnders—offering the side fluency and balance. The trio controlled tempo and transitions, while Reijnders, reportedly close to joining Manchester City, nearly added a third with a low shot that drifted wide. The Netherlands looked cohesive and organized, allowing little room for Finnish creativity in the center of the park.
Nathan Ake returned to the starting lineup for the first time since September 2024, replacing Mickey van de Ven, and offered stability at the back. Jeremie Frimpong, operating on the right wing, posed constant danger and nearly scored with a glancing header saved brilliantly by Hradecky. The Dutch backline remained largely untroubled, conceding just five shots and maintaining control through smart positioning.
Finland’s most promising moment came from Oliver Antman, who forced a routine save from Mark Flekken with a long-range effort. Jan Paul van Hecke picked up an early yellow card, showing some nerves in his third consecutive start, but remained disciplined thereafter. Flekken, replacing the injured Mark Verbruggen, dealt calmly with the few challenges he faced and recorded a clean sheet.
Football World Cup 2026: Dutch Attack Threatens More Goals
After halftime, the Netherlands looked to widen the gap, with Depay again going close but denied by another excellent Hradecky save. Gakpo was also active, firing into the side netting from a tight angle, while Finland offered little attacking threat throughout the second period.
Depay’s strike marked his 48th international goal, putting him just two shy of Robin van Persie’s national scoring record. The Corinthians forward continues to be a key figure for Koeman, leading the line with experience and sharp movement. His link-up play with Gakpo and Frimpong stretched Finland’s defense and kept the pressure relentless.
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Dumfries, with his tenth international goal, became the highest-scoring Dutch defender of the 21st century, overtaking Virgil van Dijk. The Inter Milan wing-back’s attacking instincts and precise timing on the cross gave the Netherlands an added edge. He frequently advanced into threatening positions, making Finland’s left flank a persistent weak point.
Football World Cup: Finland Struggles to Match Dutch Precision
Finland entered the match unbeaten in their first two qualifiers but quickly found themselves overpowered by the superior Dutch quality. Despite some resilience in the second half, they registered only two shots on target and lacked attacking fluidity.
Hradecky was a standout performer on his milestone night, producing three crucial saves to keep the score respectable. Despite the scoreline, the Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper’s performance demonstrated his importance to Finland’s campaign. He prevented goals from Depay and Reijnders with top-tier reflexes, even as his teammates faltered.
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Antman remained Finland’s brightest spark, testing Flekken with two decent efforts, but found little support from his fellow forwards. The Finnish midfield struggled to contain the trio of Gravenberch, de Jong, and Reijnders, frequently losing possession battles. Set pieces and counters posed minimal threat as Finland rarely entered the Dutch penalty area with conviction.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Koeman’s Side Sets Tone for Qualification
Koeman expressed satisfaction with the opening result but noted the final 30 minutes lacked sharpness and focus. The Netherlands managed the match efficiently but missed opportunities to seal a more dominant victory. Captain Virgil van Dijk echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of building rhythm early in qualification.
The Dutch controlled the match statistically, producing 17 attempts to Finland’s five, and generating 2.06 expected goals (xG) compared to the hosts’ 0.2. The game reflected their tactical superiority, particularly in the first half, where Finland could barely maintain possession.
Up next for the Netherlands is a home clash with Malta, offering a chance to build further momentum in their FIFA 2026 campaign. That encounter presents an opportunity to rotate the squad and potentially test younger players in less demanding circumstances. Victory there would position the Dutch strongly in Group G, especially with Poland already making early progress.
FIFA 2026 Qualifiers: Netherlands Eye Momentum Ahead of Football World Cup 2026
The Netherlands will now focus on maintaining consistency as they continue their path toward FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification. With a solid foundation set in Helsinki, Koeman’s side has the confidence and depth to challenge strongly in Group G.
As fixtures pile up, squad rotation and tactical flexibility will be key in sustaining form through the qualification journey. Their next match against Malta offers a chance to further refine combinations and potentially give minutes to emerging talents.
A win would place them within striking distance of group leaders Poland and reinforce their Football World Cup ambitions. Koeman’s objective remains clear—secure qualification early and fine-tune the team ahead of the Football World Cup 2026.
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