FIFA World Cup 2022 | Netherlands beats host Qatar 2-0 to reach World Cup knockouts

Qatar became the first host in the FIFA World Cup history to lose all three of its group matches

November 29, 2022 07:57 pm | Updated November 30, 2022 07:58 am IST

Netherlands’ Frenkie de Jong scores their second goal.

Netherlands’ Frenkie de Jong scores their second goal. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The Netherlands finished off the worst showing by any World Cup host nation by beating Qatar 2-0 on Tuesday. The Dutch advanced to the round of 16 while the Qataris, who were already eliminated, became the first host in the FIFA World Cup history to lose all three of its group matches. Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead midway through the first half with his third goal in as many matches and Frenkie de Jong doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half. 

The Netherlands is a three-time runner-up at the World Cup and also finished third in 2014, while Qatar was making its tournament debut. The Dutch failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Cody Gakpo’s 26th-minute strike gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over World Cup hosts Qatar at halftime in their last Group A match on Tuesday as the Dutch sought to book their place in the last 16.

Gakpo raced on to Davy Klaassen’s pass and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, giving the Netherlands a boost in their push to finish top of the standings. Qatar were already unable to qualify for the next phase of the tournament before kick-off. 

Memphis Depay started his first game for the Netherlands at the World Cup on Tuesday as the Dutch look to confirm their last-16 place in their final Group A match against Qatar.

Depay, who came on as a substitute in his team’s first two matches, lined up alongside Cody Gakpo in attack while coach Louis van Gaal also tinkered with his midfield, bringing in Marten de Roon to provide more protection for playmaker Frenkie de Jong.

De Roon replaced Teun Koopmeiners while Depay comes in for Steven Bergwijn, having battled with a hamstring injury over the last months.

The hosts, who have been eliminated, made a single change with midfielder Abdelaziz Hastem replacing Karim Boudiaf, whose place he took with 20 minutes left of their last match against Senegal. 

Teams

Netherlands (3-4-1-2):

Andries Noppert; Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk (captain), Nathan Ake; Denzel Dumfries, Marten de Roon, Frenkie de Jong, Daley Blind; Davy Klaassen; Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay

Coach: Louis van Gaal (NED)

Qatar (5-3-2):

Meshaal Barsham; Ismail Mohamad, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Abdelkarim Hassan, Homam Ahmed; Hassan Al Haydos (captain), Assim Madibo, Hatem Abdulaziz; Almoez Ali, Akram Afif

Coach: Felix Sanchez (ESP)

Referee: Bakary Gassama (GAM)

(With input from agencies)

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.