World Cup qualifying: Depay hits brace as Netherlands Maul Montenegro

Depay

Depay hits brace for Netherlands

Memphis Depay hits a brace on Saturday as Netherlands mauled Montenegro 4-0 in a world cup qualifying match.

It was Netherlands’ first win of Louis Van Gaal’s third reign.

It was a commanding victory for the Netherlands as they got their feet right in the encounter.

A Depay brace followed by Georginio Wijnaldum’s 26th international goal and a Cody Gakpo screamer secured all three points for the ‘Oranje’.

The Dutch immediately asserted their authority on the game, with Davy Klaassen and Depay causing the Montenegro defence problems, the pair had seven shots between them in the first half. Klaassen went close after half an hour, getting his head on a Gakpo cross to rattle the woodwork.

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Netherlands’ pressure was relentless and were eventually able to force their way into the lead. Intricate build-up play left Depay in a dangerous area inside the box and the Barcelona forward was able to spin away from Dušan Lagator before he hauled him down, leaving the referee in no question as to whether to award the penalty.

Depay emphatically converted the spot-kick into the corner to give his side the lead their play had merited.

Montenegro had a huge chance to bring themselves level in the early stages of the second half, capitalising on some sloppy play from the Dutch.

Tyrell Malacia’s misplaced pass played Stefan Mugoša in on goal, but the forward lacked composure and blasted his effort high and wide – a huge opportunity spurned.

Van Gaal’s side punished the visitors’ wastefulness on the hour mark. Gakpo laid the ball off to Depay on the left side of the box and the Dutch talisman unleashed a rocket past Matija Šarkić. Wijnaldum added a third after being slotted through by Steven Berghuis, before Gakpo completed the rout with a stunning curling finish from the edge of the box.

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