World Cup qualifier round-up: Netherlands thrash Malta in headline European clash

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Jun 10, 2025 - 23:45

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The Netherlands laid down a marker to their World Cup rivals by thrashing Malta 8-0 in their Group G qualifier on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Finland saw off Poland and Austria put four past San Marino.

Read on to see how the best of the action unfolded on the continent.

📰 Table Of Contents

Netherlands 8-0 Malta

The Netherlands put on a dazzling display in Rotterdam, thrashing Malta 8–0 in a dominant performance that saw seven different players contribute directly to the scoreline.

Memphis Depay got the Oranje rolling early with a clinical penalty in the 9th minute after Justin Kluivert was fouled in the box.

Depay doubled his tally just seven minutes later, firing home from the centre of the area.

Virgil van Dijk made it three in the 20th minute with a rare goal from distance.

Great night in Groningen! 😍#NothingLikeOranje #NEDMLT pic.twitter.com/MyeUMK6zwq
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 10, 2025

Xavi Simons added a fourth shortly after the break, slotting into the bottom corner following a clever pass from Depay.

Donyell Malen struck twice in quick succession, first from a Micky van de Ven assist, then finishing off a slick team move involving Frenkie de Jong to make it 6–0.

Noa Lang also found the net, tapping in from close range on 78 minutes.

Van de Ven capped off the rout in stoppage time with a composed finish to claim his first international goal.

Finland 2-1 Poland

Suomi palaa voittojen tielle.
Kaikki ajatuksemme ovat henkilössä, joka sai sairaskohtauksen katsomossa, sekä hänen omaisissaan ja läheisissään. Tällaisina hetkinä jalkapallo on aivan toissijainen asia.#Huuhkajat #MeOlemmeSuomi #FINPOL #WCQ pic.twitter.com/NJjCY7R2gG
— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) June 10, 2025

Finland secured a 2-1 win over Poland their World Cup qualifier with Joel Pohjanpalo and Benjamin Kallman getting on the scoresheet in either half.

Despite dominating large spells of possession and creating more chances, Poland were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.

The hosts took the lead on 31 minutes when Pohjanpalo converted a penalty after Robin Lod was brought down by goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

Kallman then doubled the lead in the 64th minute, finishing off a quick counter-attack started by Oliver Antman.

Poland pulled one back through Jakub Kiwior, who reacted first to a loose ball in the box in the 69th minute.

Jakub Piotrowski, Sebastian Szymanski, and Krzysztof Piatek all had efforts denied by the outstanding Lukaš Hradecky, who made a string of key saves.

San Marino 0-4 Austria

Zweiter Sieg im zweiten Quali-Spiel: Das ÖFB-Team feiert einen ungefährdeten Pflichtsieg in San Marino! 🇦🇹 ⚽️
👉 https://t.co/V2Rkz0F6Br #SkySportAustria #ÖFB #Österreich #EuroQualifiers #SMRAUT pic.twitter.com/I1AwpJfTjX
— Sky Sport Austria (@SkySportAustria) June 10, 2025

Austria cruised to a routine 4-0 win over San Marino in Serravalle as Ralf Rangnick’s side picked up three more points in their campaign.

It took just three minutes for Austria to open the scoring, Marko Arnautovic finishing from close range after Stefan Posch’s low cross.

Michael Gregoritsch then doubled the lead with a powerful drive from distance, before Arnautovic struck again in the 15th minute, capitalising on Marcel Sabitzer’s pass to make it 3-0.

Austria’s fourth came shortly before the half-hour mark when Arnautovic turned provider, setting up Christoph Baumgartner for a close-range header.

San Marino had no answer to Austria’s control, though they managed a few moments of promise, notably Nicola Nanni’s shot in the 38th minute, which drew a solid save from Patrick Pentz.

The second half lacked goals but remained one-sided.

Substitute Edoardo Colombo impressed in goal for the hosts, denying Sabitzer and Arnautovic on multiple occasions, including saving a late penalty from the latter after Giacomo Valentini’s foul.