Historic Night for Depay as Netherlands Survive Lithuania Scare in World Cup Qualifier

Historic Achievement in Thrilling Victory

Memphis Depay made history by becoming the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing Robin van Persie’s record with his 51st international goal in the 11th minute.

In an entertaining encounter, the Netherlands secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Lithuania. The Dutch established a 2-0 lead through Quinten Timber’s strike, but Lithuania mounted a spirited comeback with goals from Gvidas Ginetis and Edvinas Girdvainis. The decisive moment came with half an hour remaining when Depay nodded home a Denzel Dumfries cross to secure the win.

Lithuania’s Valiant Effort

Despite being underdogs, Lithuania showed remarkable resilience at home, maintaining an unbeaten record in their World Cup 2026 qualifying home matches, having previously earned draws against Finland and Malta.

Currently ranked 143rd in the FIFA World Rankings, Lithuanian football has experienced a decline from their highest position of 37th in October 2008. The team’s challenging period continues, as their winless streak across all international matches has now extended to 12 games.

Implications for World Cup Qualification

The Netherlands, clear favourites to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, had previously dropped their first points of the campaign in a draw with Poland. In that match, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, they were held to a draw after Denzel Dumfries’s first-half effort was cancelled out by a late equalizer.

The Dutch team showcased their Premier League talent, with manager Koeman fielding a strong lineup including Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Bart Verbruggen, Gravenberch, Gakpo, Reijnder, and Xavi Simons, though Donyell Malen was considered as a potential replacement for Simons.

Looking Ahead

While the Netherlands secured the victory, their performance suggested room for improvement. Nevertheless, their leadership and determination helped them secure crucial three points away from home, keeping them on track for qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America.