Holland overwhelms Malta 4-0, with two goals from Memphis Depay, Corinthians’ star, in a European qualifier match for the 2026 World Cup, held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Euroborg Stadium in Groningen. The game, still ongoing at the 20-minute mark of the second half, showcased Dutch dominance, with Depay scoring a penalty in the 8th minute of the first half and adding another in the 15th, tying Van Persie as the national team’s top scorer with 50 goals. Van Dijk and Simons also scored, while Malta, bottom of Group G, failed to respond. Under Ronald Koeman, marking his 50th game as coach, Holland remains strong in their quest for a World Cup spot.
The first half was a Dutch monologue, controlling possession and creating numerous chances. Malta, with a defensive stance, struggled to contain the opposition’s attacks, with no success. The Dutch pressure continued into the second half, with Simons scoring the fourth goal in the 15th minute.
- Early highlights:
- Penalty converted by Depay after a foul on Kluivert.
- Depay’s second goal, tying the historical record.
- Van Dijk securing the lead with a header.
Tactical setup and lineups
Holland fielded a 4-3-3 formation, led by Flekken in goal, a solid defense with Van Dijk and De Vrij, and a dynamic attack featuring Depay, Simons, and Gakpo. Ronald Koeman emphasized quick transitions and wing play with Dumfries and Van de Ven. Malta, lined up in a defensive 4-3-3, had Bonello in goal and a five-man defensive line, with Guillaumier and Teuma trying to organize the midfield.
Malta, in their fourth qualifier match, languishes at the bottom of Group G with just one point. Holland, leading the group with six points, came off a win against Finland, where Depay and Dumfries also shone.
Dominant first half
The match began with Holland setting the pace. In the 4th minute, Kluivert earned a penalty, which Depay converted with precision. At the 15th minute, the striker received a pass from Simons at the edge of the box and curled a shot in, marking his 50th goal for the national team. Van Dijk extended the lead in the 20th minute, heading in a corner with authority.
Malta managed a single shot in the first half, with Guillaumier firing from distance in the 19th minute, easily saved by Flekken. Holland created other chances, like Frenkie de Jong’s shot in the 26th minute that sailed over, and De Vrij’s header in the 35th that narrowly missed.
Timeline: key match moments
The game featured high-intensity moments, with Holland controlling the action. Below are the main events up to the 20th minute of the second half:
- 4’ – 1H: Kluivert earns penalty; Depay converts to open the score (1-0).
- 15’ – 1H: Depay receives from Simons and scores the second (2-0).
- 20’ – 1H: Van Dijk heads in a corner to extend the lead (3-0).
- 15’ – 2H: Simons bursts into the box and scores the fourth (4-0).
- 18’ – 2H: Lang receives a yellow card for a hard foul.
These moments highlight Holland’s efficiency and Malta’s inability to handle wing plays.
Controlled second half
The second half started with Holland maintaining their pressure. Van de Ven tested Bonello with a shot in the first minute. In the 9th minute, Wieffer missed a chance after a corner, shooting wide. The fourth goal came in the 15th minute, with Depay setting up Simons for a precise finish.
Malta attempted to build from the back, but Holland’s high press stifled any progress. In the 18th minute, Lang was booked for a foul, but the Dutch continued to dominate.
Substitutions and halftime adjustments
At halftime, Holland brought on Lang and Wieffer for Gakpo and Gravenberch to sustain their attacking momentum. Malta replaced Corbalán with Tuma and Overend with Shaw to bolster their defense. In the second half, Jodi Jones came on for Teuma in the 13th minute, but the changes had little impact.
Wieffer’s entry added control to Holland’s midfield, while Lang created chances down the left. Malta, despite the substitutions, remained toothless in attack.
- Tactical changes:
- Holland: Lang added pace; Wieffer strengthened the midfield.
- Malta: Shaw aimed to stabilize defense; Jodi Jones sought creativity.
- Outcome: Holland maintained dominance; Malta stayed ineffective.
Individual standouts
Memphis Depay was the star, scoring twice and providing an assist. His movement and flair made him the focal point of Holland’s attack. Xavi Simons, with a goal and an assist, impressed with his vision and speed. Van Dijk, beyond his goal, was flawless defensively.
For Malta, Bonello made key saves, including Van de Ven’s early second-half shot. Guillaumier and Teuma, however, were booked for tough tackles, underscoring their struggle against Holland’s attack.
Match numbers
Holland leads the partial stats up to the 20th minute of the second half. Possession heavily favors them, as do shots and corners. Malta, with just one shot, has failed to create real chances.
- Partial stats:
- Possession: Holland 70% x 30% Malta.
- Shots: Holland 14 x 1 Malta.
- Corners: Holland 5 x 0 Malta.
- Yellow cards: Holland 1 x Malta 2.
Group G landscape
Holland, with six points, solidifies their lead in Group G and remains a favorite for a 2026 World Cup spot. Malta, with one point in four games, struggles to compete with stronger teams. The ongoing match could see more goals, given Holland’s relentless pace.
Wing pressure
Wing plays were key to Holland’s success. Dumfries on the right and Van de Ven on the left created multiple chances. Simons and Kluivert exploited gaps, while Depay roamed across the attack. Malta’s sluggish defense couldn’t keep up.
In the 8th minute of the second half, Dumfries nearly scored with a header from a free kick, but the ball deflected off the defense. The constant wing pressure wore down Malta’s backline, leading to critical errors.
Ronald Koeman’s role
Ronald Koeman, in his 50th game as coach, demonstrated why he’s a cornerstone of the Dutch team. His attacking strategy, focusing on possession and wing play, neutralized Malta’s attempts to respond. The starting lineup and halftime substitutions kept the team sharp and organized.
His milestone was celebrated on social media before the game, highlighting his significance to the qualifier campaign.
