- The Netherlands hosted Gibraltar in the Euro 2024 qualifiers in Amsterdam
- Ronald Koeman earned his first win in his second tenure as the Netherlands manager
- Two goals from Nathan Ake and a sole one from Memphis Depay sealed the victory for the Oranje
Ronald Koeman’s first win in his second tenure as manager of the Netherlands began with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Gibraltar in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Nathan Ake scored twice in a game in which the Netherlands had 50 shots on goal without allowing one, as Koeman’s side got back on track in Euro 2024 qualifying after a heavy loss to France last week.
After Memphis Depay put the Dutch ahead against the Group B minnows in Rotterdam on Monday, Ake scored twice in the second half.
It was Gibraltar’s 19th consecutive loss in Euro qualifying, with Liam Walker sent off for a rash challenge on Dutch debutant Mats Wieffer.
The Netherlands, desperate for a response after their thrashing in Paris, took charge from the start and took the lead in the 23rd minute.
Denzel Dumfries, who had returned from suspension, provided an inviting cross that Depay glanced in after a patient play.
Wout Weghorst twice went close, including a wonderful opportunity when he shot wide from eight yards out before Dayle Coleing produced a smart reflex save to deny the Manchester United attacker.
Five minutes after the break, the Dutch doubled their advantage, with Dumfries assisting a deep cross back into the center for Ake to head home.
Gibraltar was reduced to ten men in less than 60 seconds. Walker caught Wieffer with a dangerous tackle, forcing referee Morten Krogh to brandish a straight red.
Coleing saved Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo, and Roy Chipolina stopped Weghorst on the line, but Ake’s deflected strike eight minutes from time capped an easy win.
Netherlands hit 50 shots in one match
Despite only scoring three goals, the Netherlands had 50 shots and 101 touches in the opposition area against Gibraltar. That is more than any other match since Opta started collecting this data in August 2013. They scored a whopping 5.04 anticipated goals. (xG).
The Oranje also extended their unbeaten home run to 15 games, dating back to a loss to Mexico in October 2020.
Netherlands defender Nathan Ake celebrates after scoring against Gibraltar in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |
Depay responded with a goal after Mike Maignan stopped his late penalty in Paris, maintaining his impressive ratio of 44 goals in 88 appearances.
The Atletico Madrid forward has five goals against Gibraltar, making him only the third Dutch international to score five or more goals against a single opponent, following Robin van Persie (six against Hungary) and Klaas Jan Huntelaar (five against the Netherlands). (five against San Marino).
Wieffer delivered a solid performance to become the third Feyenoord player this century to earn his Netherlands debut in De Kuip, following Rick Karsdorp (October 2016) and Ruben Schaken (October 2017). (October 2012).
Despite being substituted in the 63rd minute by Daley Blind, the 23-year-old completed a game-high 123 passes.
The Netherlands switch their focus to the Nations League on June 14, when they face Croatia in the semi-finals in a mini-tournament they are hosting.
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