Netherlands Cruise Past Lithuania to Secure Top Spot in World Cup Qualifying Group

The Netherlands delivered a commanding performance on home soil, sweeping past Lithuania in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The hosts opened the scoring early, with Tijjani Reijnders striking in the 16th minute to set the tone for a one-sided evening.
Right after the break, Cody Gakpo coolly converted a penalty to double the lead, before Xavi Simons added a third on 60 minutes, effectively putting the game out of reach. Just two minutes later, Donyell Malen completed the rout, sealing an emphatic 4–0 victory.
The win guarantees the Netherlands first place in Group G and a direct ticket to the World Cup 2026. Poland are now locked into the playoffs, while Finland, Malta, and Lithuania have officially lost their chances of progressing.
FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers
Netherlands - Lithuania 4:0 (1:0)
Goals: Reijnders, 16 (1:0); Gakpo, 58 (penalty) (2:0); Simons Xavi, 60 (3:0); Malen, 62 (4:0)
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Timber J. (Geertruida, 64); van Dijk; Ake; de Ligt; de Jong F. (Timber Q., 63); Simons Xavi (Valente, 78); Reijnders; Depay (Emegha, 63); Gakpo (Lang N., 79); Malen
Substitution: Emegha (from 63); Timber Q. (from 63); Geertruida (from 64); Valente (from 78); Lang N. (from 79)
Bench: Roefs; Flekken; van de Ven; Gravenberch R.; Schouten
Lithuania: Gertmonas; Tutyskinas; Širvys (Beneta, 46); Armalas; Utkus; Vorobjovas M.; Černych (Paulauskas Gy., 59); Lasickas (Upstas, 85); Gineitis; Kalinauskas (Burba M., 81); Sirgedas (Golubickas, 46)
Substitution: Beneta (from 46); Golubickas (from 46); Paulauskas Gy. (from 59); Burba M. (from 81); Upstas (from 85)
Bench: Švedkauskas; Bartkus; Lekiatas; Šimkus; Dubickas E.
Yellow Cards: Širvys 23; Paulauskas Gy. 84
