The Netherlands stormed to a commanding 4-0 victory over Finland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday night, with Memphis Depay once again the architect of a masterful attacking display that reinforced his status as one of the greatest players in Dutch football history.
The 31-year-old Corinthians forward delivered a performance brimming with class and efficiency, breaking the all-time national assist record and extending his own goalscoring tally in the process. Depay’s first-half display was a clinic in creativity and composure, guiding the Oranje to a decisive lead before the break and ensuring the contest was effectively settled by half-time.
The tone was set early, as the Netherlands poured forward with intent from the opening whistle. Only eight minutes had passed when Depay unlocked the Finnish defence with a perfectly weighted pass to Donyell Malen. The Aston Villa winger struck first-time from the edge of the box, curling a precise effort past goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky to give the home side an early advantage.
Just nine minutes later, the Dutch doubled their lead through Virgil van Dijk. Once again, Depay was the provider, floating in a sumptuous free-kick that the Liverpool captain met with a powerful header into the top corner. The goal marked Depay’s 35th assist in Oranje colours—two more than Wesley Sneijder’s previous record—further cementing his reputation as the creative heartbeat of the national team.
Finland, who had entered the match hoping to frustrate their hosts and maintain a disciplined shape, found themselves overrun by the Dutch movement and intensity. Glen Kamara and Teemu Pukki offered rare outlets on the counter, but the visitors failed to register a meaningful shot on target in the opening half-hour.
In the 38th minute, the inevitable third arrived. Malen’s darting run drew a clumsy challenge inside the box, and Depay stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with trademark coolness. Sending Hradecky the wrong way, he netted his 54th international goal—stretching the national record he set just last month.
The Dutch crowd rose in unison, celebrating not just the goal, but the occasion: their talismanic forward had now both scored and assisted in the same game for the 23rd time in his international career, an extraordinary mark of consistency and influence.
With a 3-0 cushion at the break, Ronald Koeman’s side eased into control during the second half, rotating possession and preserving energy ahead of a busy international schedule. Yet even as the pace slowed, the Netherlands maintained their dominance. Frenkie de Jong dictated the rhythm from midfield, while Xavi Simons—introduced late on—added fresh spark.
It was Simons who helped apply the finishing touch. In the 84th minute, the Tottenham playmaker slipped a clever pass into the path of Cody Gakpo, who smashed home from close range to complete the rout. The Liverpool winger’s goal was just reward for his tireless pressing and movement throughout the evening.
Finland, to their credit, continued to battle, but the gulf in quality was clear. Their defensive line struggled to cope with the fluidity of the Dutch attack, and their own offensive efforts were largely smothered by Van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt.
As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard told the story of a dominant performance—Netherlands 4, Finland 0—and an individual milestone for a player who continues to define his generation.
Depay’s contribution—one goal, two assists, and a commanding presence—epitomised his importance to Koeman’s team. With 54 goals and 35 assists now to his name, his combined 89 goal involvements stand as a national record unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.
After six matches, the Netherlands sit six points clear at the top of Group G, with Poland and Finland trailing. The Oranje’s blend of experience and youthful energy looks increasingly balanced, and with Depay leading by example, the dream of a return to global prominence feels more tangible than ever.
