Memphis Depay score a double like Netherlands ending 25 unsuccessful years in front of the neighbors Belgium with a 4-1 win over their hosts in the Nations League in Brussels on Friday.
Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries scored two goals remaining as the Netherlands ended Belgium’s nearly six-year unbeaten home streak in a complete reversal for the team, which had topped the FIFA rankings for three years until being demoted. recently.
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Bergwijn shot from outside the box in the 40th minute to give the Netherlands a well-deserved lead in the second half before Depay and Dumfries scored more second-half goals in a decisive performance.
Belgium who lost Romelu Lukaku Early injury, scored consolation three minutes into injury time passed Michy Batshuayi but has been exposed badly behind and the result will be a serious setback in preparations for the World Cup later this year.
The Dutchman, who last beat Belgium in 1997 and had gone eight unsuccessful derbies since, tore through the defense in the second half when Depay added a second goal in the 51st minute in a counter-attack. attack after a steal in the middle of the field. Davy Klaassen and a quick pass down the middle of the word Steven Berghuis.
Full back Daley Blind 11 minutes later, the fastest reaction to save a save from Berghuis 11 minutes later to score the third with a cross across the face of the goal which Dumfries cushioned the ball in the post.
Blind then provided another assist three minutes later with a header in the path of Depay, who deftly took the ball down with his thigh before slamming it past Simon Mignolet from close range.
Mignolet said: “This international match coming after an exhausting season is not an excuse. Certainly not when you play against the Netherlands.”
“We have to learn from this. You can’t let such a failure pass you by.”
Belgium tried to score a consolation goal from the 13th minute but Michy Batshuayi was offside during construction Timothy Castagne put the ball in the net. VAR check denied Belgium’s goal but they received consolation at the end of the game.
Belgium lost their most recent home match in a friendly against Spain in September 2016 when coach Roberto Martinez started his own game.
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk said he was not surprised by the away victory.
“We analyzed them well and we executed our plans, we did very well,” he said. “It was a great night.”
