A rather controversial penalty awarded after just five minutes paved the way for a most comfortable 8-0 win for the Netherlands over Malta in a match from Group G of the European Qualifiers at the Euroborg Stadion in Groningen.

Ronald Koeman’s side scored three within the first twenty minutes, adding another five in the final half hour. Emilio De Leo’s side simply had no reply for the strength of the Netherlands side.

De Leo opted for three changes from the team which drew with Lithuania as Gabriel Mentz was back in the starting line-up after serving a three-match ban while Juan Corbalan and Adam Magri Overend were handed a rare start. Enrico Pepe and Jodi Jones were among the substitutes while Zach Muscat had been dropped before the trip to Groningen.

Photos courtesy of Andre Farrugia / Malta FA

Netherlands took the lead on 9 minutes. Referee Ricardo de Burgos awarded them a penalty after Juan Corbalan was adjudged to have fouled Justin Kluivert inside the area. Following several minutes of VAR check, the referee confirmed his decision and from the penalty spot, Memphis Depay converted.

The Oranje doubled the score on 16 minutes when off an assist from the right by Denzel Dumfries, Memphis Depay beat Henry Bonello with a rising shot from outside the area, ending in the top left corner.

Malta replied with an Alex Satariano effort which was parried by goalkeeper Mark Flekken two minutes later. 

Virgil van Dijk made it 3-0 on 20 minutes when he received an assist by Frenkie de Jong and beat the Malta goalkeeper with a powerful low drive from outside the area. 

Netherlands increased the lead on 61 minutes when Memphis Depay sent Xavi Simons through on the right and the latter beat Bonello with a diagonal shot.

Substitute Donyell Malen, who had just replaced Memphis Depay two minutes earlier, made it 5-0 on 74 minutes when he beat Bonello after receiving an assist by Van de Ven when released on the left by Simons.

Noa Lang scored the sixth goal on 78 minutes, slotting past Bonello from close range when served by Malen from the left.

Ten minutes from time, following a good move, Frenkie de Jong served Donyell Malen on the left and the latter rounded Carragher inside the area and beat Bonello.

In added time, Xavi Simons almost added another but his direct freekick from the left scraped past the post.

However, Netherlands were not to be denied on 93 minutes when Xavi Simons had a shot blocked by Joseph Mbong and off the rebound, Micky van de Ven slammed the ball past Bonello.

NETHERLANDS Mark Flekken, Virgil van Dijk, Stefan De Vrij, Xavi Simons, Ryan Gravenberch (46’ Mats Wieffer), Memphis Depay (72′ Donyell Malen), Cody Gakpo (46’ Noa Lang), Micky van de Ven, Justin Kluivert (62’ Wout Weghorst), Frenkie de Jong, Denzel Dumfries (79’ Lutsharel Geertruida).

MALTA Henry Bonello, Adam Magri Overend (46’ Kurt Shaw), Ryan Camenzuli (81’ Jake Azzopardi), Gabriel Mentz, Matthew Guillaumier, Joseph Mbong, Paul Mbong, Teddy Teuma (60’ Jodi Jones), James Carragher, Juan Corbalan (46’ Basil Tuma), Alexander Satariano (81’ Myles Beerman).

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos ESP
Assistant referees: Iker De Francisco, Iván Masso Granado ESP
Fourth official: José Luis Munuera ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva ESP