FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Malta………………..0
Netherlands………4
The Netherlands maintained their position at the top of Group G after defeating Malta 4–0 at the National Stadium in Ta’Qali. Two penalties characterized the match, and although the Dutch dominated, the Maltese did not hold back and had their moments where they could have even found the net.
Three minutes into the game, the Maltese had a golden opportunity when Van Dijk passed the ball poorly back to goalkeeper Verbruggen. Mbong took advantage, but from a tight angle, his shot went wide. On the 10th minute mark, Bonello was called into action for the first time, punching away a shot from Reijnders. Just seconds later, Gravenberch was brought down in the box by Shaw, and the referee awarded a penalty. From the spot, Cody Gakpo made no mistake to put the Netherlands ahead 1-0.
After 15 minutes, the same Gakpo almost doubled the score but was denied by the upright after a shot from the edge of the box. In the 38th minute, the referee once again signaled a penalty for the Dutch team when the ball appeared to hit Shaw’s hand, but after consulting the VAR, Croatian referee Strukan reversed his decision.
On the 47th minute mark, the Dutch were awarded another penalty when Pepe appeared to jump on Weghorst thus committing a foul in the box, and once again Cody Gakpo found the net to make it 2–0.
In the 53rd minute, Frimpong tried his luck at Bonello’s goal, but the Maltese goalkeeper was alert and cleared the danger. By the 57th minute, the Dutch scored their third. A defensive error by Malta allowed Gakpo to gain possession after Henrry Bonello was pressed, he passed to Tijjani Reijnders, who, with Bonello on the ground, calmly made it 3–0.
In the 78th minute, Depay sent in a cross that found Dumfries, but his header was turned into a corner by Bonello. Just before the final whistle, Memphis Depay scored the fourth with a header after another cross from Dumfries.
Final score: Malta 0–4 Netherlands
Referee: Duje Strukan (Croatian FA)
Line Ups:
Malta – Henry Bonello(GK), Ryan Camenzuli, Kurt Shaw, Matthew Guillaumier(c), Joseph Mbong (72’ Adam Magri Overend), Ilyas Chouaref (83’ Jodi Jones), Teddy Teuma (83’ Kemar Reid), Irvin Cardona (87′ Basil Tuma), Enrico Pepe, Juan Corbolan, Alexander Satariano (72’ Yannick Yankam)
Netherlands – Bart Verbruggen(GK), Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk(c), Ryan Gravenberch, Wout Weghorst (67’ Memphis Depay), Cody Gakpo (83’ Xavi Simons), Jeremie Frimpong (67’ Donyell Malen), Tijjani Reijnders, Micky van de Ven (83’ Quilindschy Hartman), Frenkie de Jong (67’ Justin Kluivert), Denzel Dumfries
