Lithuania vs Netherlands: Depay’s Historic Brace as Dutch Survive a Scare

Introduction

The Lithuania vs Netherlands World Cup qualifier in Kaunas on September 7, 2025, delivered far more drama than anyone expected. The Oranje, widely regarded as group favorites, managed to edge past a spirited Lithuania side with a narrow 3–2 win. While the result kept the Netherlands on top of their qualifying group, it also raised questions about their defensive discipline and overall consistency.

At the center of the night’s storyline was Memphis Depay, who scored twice and became the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands, surpassing Robin van Persie’s long-standing record. Yet, despite the historic milestone, coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk admitted the performance left much to be desired.

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Background: Why This Match Mattered

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have already shown how unpredictable European groups can be. For the Netherlands, collecting maximum points in games against lower-ranked sides like Lithuania is essential to avoid late qualification drama.

• Netherlands’ position before the match: Top of Group G but level with Poland on points.
• Lithuania’s perspective: Ranked 143rd in the world, the Baltic nation had little to lose and everything to prove in front of their home crowd.

This clash wasn’t just about three points — it was about maintaining momentum, asserting dominance, and ironing out weaknesses before tougher tests later in the campaign.

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Match Highlights: Lithuania vs Netherlands

First Half – Dutch Control with a Warning Sign

• Memphis Depay opened the scoring, demonstrating his sharp finishing instincts.
• The Dutch doubled their lead through a well-worked team move, seemingly cruising toward a comfortable victory.
• But Lithuania refused to surrender, showing fight and pressing hard in midfield.

Second Half – Lithuania Strikes Back

• Lithuania stunned the visitors with two quick goals, capitalizing on sloppy Dutch defending and hesitant midfield recovery.
• The scoreline shifted to 2–2, sending shockwaves across Group G.
• Under pressure, Depay once again delivered, converting a crucial chance to secure the 3–2 result.

Final Whistle

• Netherlands walked away with the win but conceded more than they would have liked.
• Lithuania earned respect as the lowest-ranked side ever to score against the Netherlands in FIFA’s modern ranking era.

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Memphis Depay’s Historic Night

Depay’s brace took his tally to 52 goals, officially making him the Netherlands’ all-time leading goal scorer.

Key Points:

• Surpassed Robin van Persie’s record.
• Cemented his status as one of the most influential forwards in Dutch football history.
• Silenced critics questioning his place in the squad, reminding fans that “we actually have a striker who scores a lot of goals.”

For Dutch fans, the moment was bittersweet: pride in Depay’s achievement, but concern over the shaky performance of the team.

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Tactical Concerns: What Went Wrong for the Netherlands?

Despite the win, experts highlighted several worrying patterns in the Lithuania vs Netherlands clash:

• Sloppy Possession: Midfield turnovers invited pressure.
• Weak Defensive Recovery: Failure to win second balls allowed Lithuania chances.
• Tactical Adjustment: Koeman introduced a fifth defender late on — a reactive rather than proactive strategy.
• Mental Complacency: Leading 2–0 often led to a drop in intensity, which Lithuania exploited.

Captain Virgil van Dijk openly admitted that “three points is the most important, but if you want to progress, this sort of thing cannot happen.”

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Reactions and Expert Opinions

Dutch Perspective

• Ronald Koeman: Acknowledged that the performance was below expectations but praised the resilience of the squad.
• Analysts: Warned that stronger opponents like Poland or Spain will punish such defensive lapses more severely.

Lithuanian Pride

• Local media celebrated the team’s fightback, calling it a “historic night” despite the defeat.
• For the players, scoring twice against a football giant was validation of their growing ambition.

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Group G Standings and Future Impact

With this result, the Netherlands remained top of Group G with 10 points from four matches, narrowly ahead of Poland on goal difference. Lithuania, despite the loss, gained confidence heading into upcoming fixtures.

Upcoming Matches for the Netherlands:

• October 2025: Malta (away), Finland (home)
• November 2025: Crucial clash with Poland

Failure to correct defensive issues could put automatic qualification at risk.

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Bigger Picture: Lessons from Lithuania vs Netherlands

1. The Netherlands must improve consistency. Winning against lower-ranked nations should not require last-minute adjustments.
2. Depay remains crucial. His goals continue to provide a safety net, but over-reliance could be dangerous.
3. Lithuania showed progress. Scoring twice against a top-10 ranked side suggests steady improvement.