The Netherlands scored three times in the first half against Greece in Eindhoven on Thursday and cruised to a victory that lifted them to second place in Group B of Euro 2024 qualifying.
Thrashed 4-0 by France in their opener in March, the Dutch had then beaten Gibraltar by 3-0 to enter their third match in fourth place in the group.
The Dutch took the lead after 17 minutes when Denzel Dumfries headed a corner from Daley Blind across goal and Marten de Roon nodded in.
Dumfries set up the second in the 31st minute crowning a neat buildup with a pass to Cody Gakpo in the penalty area. The Liverpool attacker fired home.
Eight minutes later, Dumfries found Wout Weghorst alone in front of goal and the Hoffenheim striker nodded the ball down and into the corner of the net.
Coach Ronald Koeman was able to bring off some of his key men in the second half and give Tijjani Reijnders his international debut.
The Netherlands overtook Ireland and Greece to go second in the group. They trail leaders France, who beat the Irish 2-0 in Paris, by nine points but have two games in hand.
While the French are in friendly action next week, the Dutch visit Dublin on Sunday. Gustavo Poyet’s Greece host Gibraltar.
Author
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 hour agoPotter says Sweden will be underdogs in World Cup last 32
Graham Potter said his Sweden team will be underdogs no matter who they face...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 hours agoGermany committed ‘tactical suicide’, says Nagelsmann
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side, who had already qualified for the last...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 3 hours agoIvory Coast see ‘no limits’ after reaching World Cup knockouts for first time
Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe believes the Elephants can keep on going at the...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 hours agoAdvocaat ‘proud’ of Curacao as minnows exit World Cup
Curacao coach Dick Advocaat said Thursday his team could go out of the World...
By AFP