BRUSSELS — Memphis Depay scored a double as the Netherlands ended 25 years without success against neighbors Belgium with a 4-1 thumping of their hosts in the Nations League in Brussels on Friday.
Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries netted the other two goals as the Dutch ended Belgium’s almost six-year unbeaten home record in a stark reversal for the team, who had topped the FIFA rankings for three years until being recently deposed.
Bergwijn hammered home from outside the box in the 40th minute to give the Dutch a deserved halftime lead before Depay and Dumfries added more in the second half in a decisive performance.
THE NETHERLANDS TAKE THE LEAD
What a STRIKE by Bergwijn: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/hJYbLY1tSW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 3, 2022
Belgium, who lost Romelu Lukaku to injury early on, scored a consolation three minutes into stoppage time through Michy Batshuayi but were badly exposed at the back and the result will come as a serious setback as the prepare for the World Cup later this year.
The Dutch, who last beat Belgium in 1997 and had gone eight derbies without success since, ripped apart the home defense in the second half as Depay added the second in the 51st minute on a counter attack after a midfield steal from Davy Klaassen and a quick pass down the middle from Steven Berghuis.
MEMPHIS DEPAY
He puts the Netherlands up by ✌️: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/EXHiZ3hcyr
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 3, 2022
Fullback Daley Blind reacted quickest to a rebound off a save from a Berghuis shot 11 minutes later to set up the third goal with a pass across the face of the goal that Dumfries tucked in at the back post.
THREE GOALS
The Netherlands is now leading Belgium 3-0 in Brussels: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/oUJqtdYeGS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 3, 2022
Blind then provided another assist three minutes after that with a header into the path of Depay, who skilfully took the ball down off with his thigh before thumping it past Simon Mignolet from close range.
DEPAY MAKES IT FOUR
The Netherlands is running away with it: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/qXVLkuuNrP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 3, 2022
Belgium did look to score a consolation goal 13 minutes from time but Michy Batshuayi was offside in the build-up to Timothy Castagne putting the ball in the net. A VAR check denied Belgium a goal but they did get a consolation right at the end of the match.
Batshuayi avoided the shutout with this goal for Belgium
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 3, 2022
Belgium last lost a home game in friendly against Spain in September 2016 when coach Roberto Martinez took charge of his first game.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
