The Netherlands beat Poland 2-0 in Warsaw on Thursday to move closer to qualification for the Nations League finals, as Cody Gakpo and Steven Bergwijn continued their excellent starts to the season.
Louis van Gaal’s men maintained their three-point lead over Belgium, who edged out Wales 2-1, at the top of Group A4.
They will need only a point from their last game against the Belgians in Amsterdam on Sunday to be sure of securing top spot.
The Dutch appear to be in strong form ahead of their World Cup opener in Qatar against African champions Senegal on November 21, before further Group A games with the hosts and Ecuador.
Poland qualified for the World Cup with a play-off victory over Sweden but were toothless on Thursday.
The Dutch took a 14th-minute lead after an excellent team move ended with Denzel Dumfries squaring for Gakpo to tap into an empty net.
The PSV Eindhoven winger has now scored eight goals in his last seven matches for club and country.
Poland finally created a good chance in the 53rd minute, but Arkadiusz Milik blazed over.
The Netherlands doubled their advantage seven minutes later as Vincent Janssen teed up Steven Bergwijn to score.
The winger has enjoyed a fine campaign so far, with eight goals for Ajax already since his Dutch-record move from Tottenham Hotspur in July.
Author
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 20 hours agoCanada’s Davies ‘available’ for historic knockout clash
Canada coach Jesse Marsch is banking on the "X-factor" of returning superstar Alphonso Davies...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 21 hours agoWorld Cup star Gakpo requests privacy after death of unborn son
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has asked for "privacy and space" following the loss of...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 24 hours agoJapan embrace ‘underdog mentality’ for World Cup clash with Brazil
Japan can beat Brazil in the World Cup last 32 by embracing an "underdog...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 days agoInjured Australian pair Leckie, Italiano out of World Cup
Injured Australian pair Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano were ruled out of the World...
By AFP