Oranje beat Gibraltar 3-0 in Rotterdam

Orange thrashed Gibraltar 3-0 in Euro 2024 qualifiers in Rotterdam’s De Kuip on Monday. Memphis Depay and Nathan Ayke scored on a somewhat underwhelming night for the team.

Ronald Koeman gave Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wiefer his first cap, starting him next to midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. Matthijs de Ligt has recovered from gastroenteritis and started the match. The former Ajax centre-half missed Friday’s game against France.

A brief silence was held before the game on Monday morning in memory of PSV press chief Thijs Slegers, who died after a long battle with leukemia.

The Netherlands dominated possession as expected against the 200th FIFA World Rankings team, but struggled to create well in the first 20 minutes. However, they took the lead in the 23rd minute. A cross from Denzel Dumfries sent in Memphis Depay to give Gibraltar goalkeeper Dale Calling the lead.

Four minutes later, Oranje presented the most danger from the flank as Wijnaldum created a chance with a header, but it was a direct hit to Couring. Wout Weghorst was given two more chances before half-time, but the striker could not convert and the Netherlands entered half-time with his very narrow 1-0 lead.

Five minutes into the second half, they doubled their lead. The full-backs combined as Denzel Dumfries hooked the ball home to Nathan Ake on the opposite wing.

Gibraltar were forced to continue with ten men shortly after the goal. Liam Walker caught Weefer with a straight stud on 23-year-old Sune and was given a bright red card.

Koeman’s team continued to create chances. Ake and Xavi Simmons failed to score from chances after Donyell Malen turned away from his opponents and then fired a shot over the bar.

However, Ake continued their excellent recent form with a second goal in the 82nd minute. His shot from the edge of the area was deflected far into his corner.

Oranje won 3–0, but failed to improve the atmosphere in the team as further goals were expected before the match. The Netherlands’ next game is against Croatia in the Nations League semi-finals in June.