Oranje struggle past Lithuania on record breaking night for Memphis Depay

The Dutch national team managed to recover, albeit with difficulty, from the 1-1 draw against Poland in its World Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday. Ronald Koeman’s side beat Lithuania 3-2 in Kaunas, keeping the Netherlands on top of Group G with 10 points from four matches. Memphis Depay got a goal for Oranje, making him the country’s all-time top scorer.

Koeman’s main demand was for the team to play at a higher tempo than it had against Poland. He made five changes to his starting lineup. In addition to the injured Frenkie de Jong, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Ryan Gravenberch, and Xavi Simons also dropped out. Nathan Aké, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten, Quinten Timber, and Donyell Malen took their places. Koeman declined to give specific reasons for the changes in his pre-match interview.

Cody Gakpo kept his place and was the first to threaten, forcing a save from goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas in the fifth minute. Six minutes later, the breakthrough came: Gakpo set up Memphis Depay, who finished with the inside of his foot to make it 1-0, and ensured that he passed Robin van Persie’s record of 50 goals for the national side.

The Netherlands dominated possession and kept the game in Lithuania’s half. In the 33rd minute, Quinten Timber doubled the lead with his first international goal. After being played in by Malen and with a deflection off a Lithuanian defender, the ball fell kindly for Timber, who calmly slotted it into the corner for 2-0.

What looked like a straightforward evening suddenly turned complicated. Lithuania countered quickly after Jerdy Schouten lost possession. Timber lost track of his man, and Gvidas Gineitis pulled one back to make it 2-1. Moments later, Lithuania equalized from a set piece, as Edvinas Girdvainis headed powerfully past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

After halftime, the Dutch looked unsettled, and their play became disorganized. Just past the hour mark, Koeman brought on Micky van de Ven, Jurriën Timber, and debutant Sem Steijn. Soon after, in the 64th minute, Depay restored the lead with a header from a Denzel Dumfries cross.

A goal from Malen was ruled out, and the closing stages were tense. Koeman added Matthijs de Ligt as an extra defender, and the Dutch held on to avoid another costly slip.