The Netherlands have qualified for the World Cup in Qatar. On Tuesday evening, the eleven won in a weak match with two late goals with 2:0 against Norway and thus secured the ticket for the World Cup finals.
When referee Clemens Turpin brought the game to an end with the final whistle, the statistics spoke for themselves. The Netherlands had taken 10:2 shots on goal, they had gained a clear advantage in possession during the 90 minutes (65 per cent) and they had won the majority of duels (63 per cent).
It was a strange scene on Tuesday evening in front of an empty crowd in Rotterdam, but in the end the Elftal’s victory was fully deserved. Oranje had dominated the match against Norway from the outset and with the unchallenged 2:0 World Cup qualification was wrapped up.
But as I said, what Bonds coach Louis van Gaal’s team delivered was not brilliant. While the 70-year-old sat in the stands, his team dominated the game but rarely created scoring chances. A harmless header by Depay (13th), a low shot by Danjuma (26th), another header by Depay (27th) and a little later another shot from distance by the 27-year-old (40th) – that was all the Netherlands could produce in the first 45 minutes.
Oranje’s game with fire
A draw would have been enough for the eleven, but because Turkey took the lead after an hour in the parallel match in Montenegro, it was clear that one goal for Norway and the Netherlands would suddenly be third in Group G. But the Scandinavians were on fire.
But the Scandinavians were simply destitute. With the exception of a harmless finish by substitute Thorstvedt (55th), Oranje allowed nothing and decided the game in their favour in the closing stages: first Bergwijn scored with a powerful shot under the bar after a pass from Danjuma (84th), then Depay scored the final goal after a long run by Bergwijn (90.+1).