Netherlands Advances as Group 1st to Round of 16... Qatar Becomes First Host to Exit with All Losses (Summary)

Netherlands Gakpo Scores in Three Consecutive Group Stage Matches

The Netherlands is leading Qatar. Kakpo, who scored the opening goal, is striking a pose. Photo by EPA Yonhap News [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The 'Orange Army' Netherlands crushed Qatar and advanced to the Round of 16 as the top team in their group.

On the early morning of the 30th (Korean time), the Netherlands secured a 2-0 victory against Qatar in the Group A third match of the Qatar World Cup held at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Bayt, Qatar.

Previously, the Netherlands recorded a 2-0 win against Senegal and a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. With the victory over Qatar, the Netherlands finished first in the group with 2 wins and 1 draw (7 points). They will face the second-place team from Group B in the Round of 16.

Host nation Qatar had already been eliminated from the group stage after losing 0-2 to Ecuador and 1-3 to Senegal. With the defeat against the Netherlands, Qatar set an unfortunate record as the first host nation to lose all three group stage matches.

The Netherlands employed a 3-4-1-2 formation. Andries Noppert started as goalkeeper, with Virgil van Dijk, Jurri?n Timber, and Nathan Ak? forming the defensive line. The midfield consisted of Davy Klaassen, Daley Blind, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, and Denzel Dumfries, while Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay led the attack as the two forwards.

Home team Qatar deployed a 5-3-2 tactic. Meshaal Barsham, who played his first World Cup match against Senegal on the 25th, started as goalkeeper. The five-back defense included Homam Ahmed, Abdelkarim Hassan, Bualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, and Ismail Mohamed. The midfield trio was Abdulaziz Hatem, Assim Madibo, and Hassan Al-Haydos. Akram Afif and Almoez Ali started as the two forwards.

The Netherlands dominated possession and pressured Qatar throughout the first half. They had 9 shots compared to Qatar’s 3, showing a clear advantage from the start. Although the number of shots on target was similar, Qatar lacked finishing power.

The opening goal was scored by the Netherlands. In the 25th minute of the first half, from the left flank, Blind connected a pass to Depay and Gakpo in the center, and midfielder Klaassen received and advanced with the ball. Klaassen then passed back to Gakpo, who fired a right-footed shot that shook the Qatar net.

With this goal, Gakpo scored in three consecutive group stage matches.

In the 4th minute of the second half, the Netherlands scored an additional goal. After Depay’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper, De Jong quickly ran in and struck the ball into the Qatar net.

Qatar launched counterattacks throughout the second half, but the momentum had already shifted to the Netherlands. Coach F?lix S?nchez made substitutions in the 19th minute of the second half, bringing on Muntari, Boudiaf, and Kambaa to try to change the atmosphere. The Netherlands responded by substituting Steven Berghuis and Vincent Janssen in the 21st minute of the second half.

In the 23rd minute of the second half, Berghuis, receiving a pass from Janssen, took a shot and appeared to score an additional goal. However, Qatar players appealed for a handball foul, and after a VAR review, the Netherlands’ additional goal was canceled due to a handball foul.

Qatar continued to attempt attacks throughout the second half but failed to break through the Dutch defense, and the match ended in a comprehensive victory for the Netherlands.