Netherlands Victory Against Belgium Thanks To Two Memphis Depay's Goals

Dutch striker Memphis Depay (Photo: Reuters via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Netherlands destroyed Belgium with a score of 4-1 in the first match of Group A4 UEFA Nations League at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium, Saturday, June 4 early morning western Indonesia time. The victory was contributed by two goals from Memphis Depay.

Quoted from Reuters, apart from Memphis Depay, the other two Dutch goals were scored by Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries, while Belgium hit back in second-half stoppage time through Michy Batshuayi.

This result brings the Netherlands temporarily to the top of Group A4 standings with three points from one game, ahead on goal difference from Poland who have the same points, while the ranking is occupied by Wales and the bottom position is occupied by Belgium.

In this match, both teams had equal possession and it was recorded that Belgium had 6 shots on target, compared to 7 scored by the Netherlands.

In the first half, Belgium took the initiative to attack first and in the 14th minute, full-back Timothy Castagne was able to get a shot that still hit the Dutch crossbar.

In the 27th minute, Belgium had to lose their mainstay striker Romelu Lukaku who had to be pulled off the field and replaced by Leandro Trossard.

Quoted from ANTARA, the Netherlands was able to take the lead in the 40th minute when Bergwijn fired a hard shot from outside the penalty box which was beyond the reach of Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet so the score changed to 1-0 which lasted until the first half ended.

In the second half, the game was still a draw, but the Dutch were able to add another advantage in the 51st minute through Memphis Depay after receiving a pass from Steven Berghuis and the score was made 2-0.

10 minutes later, the Netherlands increased their lead to 3-0, this time it was full-back Dumfries' turn to score after receiving a through ball from Daley Blind.

The Netherlands made it 4-0 in the 65th minute when Depay scored his second, again with a through ball from Daley Blind.

In the 78th minute, Belgium had scored through Castagne, but in the end, it was disallowed by VAR because Leicester City's players were already in an offside position.

Belgium was able to close the gap in 90+3 minutes when Bathsuayi was able to meet a cross from Toby Alderweireld so the score changed to 1-4 which lasted until the long whistle sounded.