Netherlands Captain Virgil van Dijk on Memphis Depay's Historic Goal

Van Dijk says Depay's goal was the deciding factor

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk shares his thoughts on Memphis Depay's record-breaking goal and the team's 3-2 win over Lithuania.

“We played with fire. Fortunately, it didn't cost us any points, but it could have been disastrous...”

The Netherlands tops Group G with 10 points from four games, but coach Ronald Koeman is left pondering over his team's inconsistent performances. After a 1-1 draw with Poland and a nail-biting 3-2 win over Lithuania, Koeman expressed his concerns, stating, “Three points is the most important, but if you want to progress, this sort of thing cannot happen.” The Dutch team's sloppy possession and failure to win duels raised eyebrows, with captain Virgil van Dijk admitting they “played with fire” and “made things incredibly difficult” for themselves.

Despite Memphis Depay's record-breaking goal, the Netherlands struggled to maintain their lead against 143rd-ranked Lithuania. Depay scored twice, including the winning goal in the 64th minute, while Quinten Timber added the second goal in the 33rd minute. Lithuania's Gvidas Gineitis and Edvinas Girdvainis scored two quick goals to level the match at 2-2 before Depay's winner.

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The win, although hard-fought, showcased the team's resilience. Koeman's tactical changes, including introducing more midfield presence, seemed to pay off. However, the Netherlands' upcoming fixtures against Malta and Finland will be crucial tests. Van Dijk praised Depay's performance, saying, “It was only a good evening for Memphis.” Koeman's post-match comments highlighted the need for improvement, emphasizing that the team's current performance level won't suffice for progress.

“We were sloppy in possession, failed to win the duels and didn’t take the second ball either,” said captain Virgil van Dijk after the narrow win in Kaunas.

“Three points is the most important, but if you want to progress, this sort of thing cannot happen.”

The Netherlands secured a 3-2 win over Lithuania, with Memphis Depay scoring a crucial second goal in the 64th minute. Despite being comfortably ahead 2-0, the Dutch team allowed Lithuania to score two quick goals before halftime, making the match intense.

Virgil van Dijk praised Depay's performance, saying, “It was only a good evening for Memphis.” Depay's second goal not only sealed the win but also set a new record of 52 goals for the Netherlands national team. Van Dijk's comment highlights Depay's significant contribution to the team's success.

“It was only a good evening for Memphis,” Van Dijk said of the forward, who has now scored a record 52 goals for the national team.

“But if you are 2-0 ahead and then you give away two easy goals, you make things incredibly difficult for yourself.”

Tactical Shift

Ronald Koeman made significant changes after the disappointing 1-1 draw with Poland, aiming to boost his team's midfield penetration and presence in the opponent's half. He sought to address the issues that plagued the Dutch team in the previous match, making adjustments to create more scoring opportunities.

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“We played with fire. Fortunately, it didn't cost us any points, but it could have been disastrous,” he said.

“We shouldn't be in such trouble here, even at the end of the match. I had to add a fifth defender for extra height and power. That's not what you want to do, but I do want to win.

“I don't have a real explanation why we did show what we can do here in Lithuania,” Koeman added.

The Netherlands' upcoming fixtures include away matches against Malta and home match against Finland in October, followed by a crucial Group G fixture against Poland in mid-November. This upcoming schedule sets the stage for intense competition as the Dutch seek to maintain their lead in the qualifying group.