Steven Bergwijn broke the deadlock late before Memphis Depay sealed the win and Netherlands' 2022 World Cup qualification with a stoppage time goal.
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Netherlands beat Norway 2-0 in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday to seal qualification for FIFA World Cup 2022. Although the match was an important one for both teams, the game turned out to be a cagey affair. Both sides were overly cautious, especially Norway who seemed happy to sit back and defend, despite needing a win to stay alive in the race for Qatar. However, the Dutch broke the deadlock six minutes from time through Steven Bergwijn before Memphis Depay sealed the three points and ticket to Qatar 2022 with a stoppage time goal. Elsewhere Wales secured a 1-1 draw against Belgium to earn a World Cup play-off seeding.
Early on in the match, Holland were lethargic as they knocked the ball from side to side and backwards around their defensive third and struggled to find a way past the Norwegian defence. Depay and Bergwijn were the bright spots in the Holland attack. Bergwijn’s cross from the right flank found Depay in front of goal, but the Barcelona-man’s header lacked power to test the visiting goalkeeper.
In the 25th minute, Davy Klaassen’s through ball found the run of Arnaut Danjuma, who cut inside from the right side of the penalty area and fired his shot wide. Depay’s first-time volley from outside the box went straight to the Norway custodian Orjan Nyland.
It was Holland’s attack versus Norway’s defence, Bergwijn’s cross from the right side found Danjuma at the far post but the Villarreal forward ballooned his shot over the bar. The visitors finally got the much needed goal in the 84th minute. Danjuma laid the ball to Bergwijn on the right side of the box, and the Tottenham-man smashed the ball past Nyland and into the roof of the goal.
Few minutes later, in stoppage time, Bergwijn turned provider for Depay’s goal. It was a counterattack after a visiting corner. Bergwijn started the move from his own half, dribbled all the way forward to the opposition penalty area and laid the ball for Depay to slot in.
The win helped Netherlands to 23 points from 10 games in Group G while Norway were eliminated from the World Cup campaign.
Wales managed to secure second spot in Group E and thereby keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive courtesy of a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City stadium. Belgium came into the match having already booked their place for next year’s World Cup. Meanwhile Wales had assured themselves of a place in the play-offs next match courtesy of their Nations League results, finishing second in the group meant The Dragons avoided drawing European champions Italy and previous holders Portugal in the more favourable side of the semi-final draw.
The equation was simple for Wales as a win would secure them second spot in the group no matter whatever happens elsewhere. However, the visitors took an early lead through Kevin de Bruyne in the12th minute. The Manchester City midfielder fired home from the edge of the box.
However, the home side equalized through Kieffer Moore in the 32nd minute. Daniel James’ cross from the left flank found its way to Belgium area and into the path of Moore, who controlled superbly before rifling into the net.
Both teams went for the winner and it turned out to be an end-to-end affair but the winner never came and Wales secured the much needed point to seal the second spot.
