Netherlands have qualified for the World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Norway. Michael Bell provides his player ratings for the Oranje stars.
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Jasper Cillessen 6.5/10: Calm and collected throughout the game, Cillessen justified his selection with a good performance in the Netherlands goal. Claimed any cross that came his way and dealt with plenty of pass backs on a slippy pitch. Didn’t have any big saves to make.
Denzel Dumfries 7/10: Going forward, Dumfries did not have a big impact but defensively, the Inter full-back did well at times. He relieved the pressure with a few well-timed tackles and interceptions. He also won some key free-kicks.
Daley Blind 6.5/10: Played a few lovely passes in the first half and played conservatively throughout. He had a point to prove after the game against Montenegro and he had a solid evening.
Matthijs de Ligt 7/10: Commanding performance in the defence by De Ligt, who replaced De Vrij well. No errors from the centre-back, but he did pick up an unnecessary yellow card.
Virgil van Dijk 7.5/10: A very mature and calm performance from the Oranje captain, who also got Netherlands going forward with some well-spread passes to the wingers. Van Dijk is heading for his first major tournament.
Frenkie de Jong 7/10: Got plenty of possession and did well to turn away from his opponents at times in the middle. However, the Barcelona star didn’t offer much going forward. His passes were conservative throughout.
Davy Klaassen 5/10: Not a performance to remember from Klaassen, who struggled to get involved throughout. He tried a few passes around the box that didn’t come off and was guilty at times of losing the ball.
Georginio Wijnaldum 5.5/10: Absolutely invisible performance once again from Wijnaldum, who needs to rediscover his form for club and country.
Arnaut Danjuma 7/10: The winger was very lively in the first half and he got chances but he could not take them. After the break, he was less prominent but did play a role in the opening goal.
Steven Bergwijn 8.5/10: Bergwijn justified his selection with an excellent performance. He netted the opening goal with a great strike before setting up Memphis to make it 2-0. A very promising performance from the Tottenham star.
Memphis Depay 7/10: He got chances to net in the first half but couldn’t take them. After the break, he appeared frustrated by the lack of service but he got his 12th goal of the qualifying campaign.
Substitutes
Marten de Roon 7/10: Came on for Klaassen and brought some calm to the Netherlands midfield. He even played a role in one of the goals.
Nathan Ake N/A: Not on the pitch long enough for a review
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Good ratings. I admit I had big doubts about De Ligt tonight but I don’t mind being proved wrong, he was calm and assured. Also sprayed several good passes to MOTM Bergwijn. I’m so happy to see Van Dijk finally qualify for the world cup as well!
Blind deserves credit too, especially given how much flack he (rightly) got against MNE. Huge role in that first goal.
Klaassen deserves a 3, he was atrocious with his ball retention. The number of balls he either misplaced or miscontrolled tonight was shocking, particularly aerials. He sometimes screwed them up even when no Norway player was anywhere near him.
But that aside, I am grateful the team put in a professional (even if not spectacular) performance. Lots still to ponder for LVG but qualifying is fantastic, and a huge weight off the team’s shoulders!
Well played Oranje. 10 out 10 for gaffer LVG.