However, the Oranje’s performance was not particularly brilliant.

The Netherlands took three points Thursday night in Malta, in an uninspiring match valid for World Cup qualifying: 4-0 the final for Ronald Koeman’s team, which hoped to replicate the performance seen in June Groningen, when the islanders were scrambled 8-0 in a spectacular match.

This time the Oranje’s performance was not particularly brilliant, the first big chance among other things being for the hosts as early as the third minute: Virgil van Dijk clumsily passed the ball to Joseph Mbong, who graced the Dutch by shooting out.

In the end, it took penalties to change the situation. In minute 12 Wout Weghorst scored, but referee Duje Strukan had already whistled a penalty for a foul on Ryan Gravenberch. Cody Gakpo converted from the penalty spot.

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Shortly afterward, the Liverpool striker went close to 0-2, hitting the post with a looping shot. Just before halftime, a penalty for the Netherlands was overturned by VAR; soon after the break, however, Gakpo signed the 0-2, again from the penalty spot.

The Netherlands’ penalty was awarded to the Netherlands.

A few minutes after the 0-2 also came the 0-3, hinting at the beginning of a goleada. The goal was signed by Tijjani Reijnders, after a mistake by Maltese goalkeeper Henry Bonello, but from there on it had to wait for the treble of the national team’s all-time top scorer, Memphis Depay, who scored the 0-4 by header. It was his 53rd goal in the Netherlands’ jersey.