Gakpo's Double Powers Netherlands to Dominant Victory in Malta

MALTA — The Dutch national team continued its relentless march toward World Cup qualification Thursday night, dismantling Malta 3-0 at Ta'Qali National Stadium behind a commanding performance from Cody Gakpo, who converted two first-half penalties and set up a third goal in a clinical display of superiority.

The result, never in doubt after Gakpo's 12th-minute spot kick, underscored the chasm between Group G's top side and its bottom dweller. Netherlands, riding a wave of momentum after securing four points from their previous two qualifiers, extended their advantage at the summit while Malta remained anchored to the cellar, their brief September euphoria—a draw with Lithuania and a friendly victory over San Marino—evaporating under the weight of Dutch precision.

Gakpo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, his composed finish giving Malta goalkeeper Henry Bonello no chance. The Liverpool forward, who had already tested the home side with efforts in the 15th and 16th minutes, was the orchestrator of Netherlands' attacking symphony throughout the first half.

Malta's resistance, while spirited, proved futile. Ryan Camenzuli saw yellow in the 37th minute as the hosts struggled to contain wave after wave of Dutch pressure. By halftime, Ronald Koeman's side had established complete control, dominating possession and territory with the confidence of a team destined for Qatar.

The second half began with Malta desperately seeking a foothold. Enrico Pepe's 47th-minute yellow card reflected the home side's growing frustration, and just two minutes later, their slim hopes vanished entirely. Gakpo stepped up for his second penalty of the evening in the 49th minute, once again beating Bonello with authority to double the advantage.

Ivan Cardona's yellow card in the 55th minute epitomized Malta's afternoon—outclassed, overwhelmed, and reduced to tactical fouls in a vain attempt to stem the tide. The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Tijjani Reijnders, who had tested Bonello with a shot in the 10th minute, finally found the back of the net. Gakpo, ever influential, provided the assist, capping a masterclass that saw him directly involved in all three goals.

Jeremie Frimpong came close to adding a fourth in the 53rd minute, his shot on goal another reminder of Netherlands' attacking depth. The visitors' ability to create chances from multiple sources—Gakpo's creativity, Reijnders' late runs, Frimpong's pace down the flank—illustrated why they entered this qualification campaign as favorites.

For Malta, the defeat represented a harsh return to reality. Their September draw with Lithuania, when Alexander Satariano's 83rd-minute equalizer salvaged a point, had offered genuine hope. Their subsequent 3-1 friendly triumph over San Marino suggested progress. But against elite opposition, the gulf in class remained unbridgeable. They managed just three meaningful moments—Jodi Mbong's early shot and Teddy Teuma's 36th-minute corner among them—and spent most of the evening defending their own penalty area.

Netherlands, meanwhile, demonstrated the ruthless efficiency expected of World Cup contenders. Their recent form—three points from a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Poland and all three from a 3-2 victory at Lithuania—suggested a team finding its rhythm at precisely the right moment. Memphis Depay's 11th-minute goal in Vilnius and Quinten Timber's 33rd-minute strike had shown their ability to score from various sources, while Denzel Dumfries' equalizer against Poland proved their resilience.

Thursday's victory, sealed by Memphis Depay's 90th-minute strike, reinforced Netherlands' status as Group G's dominant force. The margin could have been greater; their 21 shots compared to Malta's meager attempts told the story of territorial dominance rarely seen in international football.

As qualification continues, Netherlands appear destined for comfortable passage to the World Cup. Malta, meanwhile, face the reality of another campaign spent battling to avoid the group's basement. For 90 minutes at Ta'Qali, the script played out exactly as expected—a reminder that in World Cup qualifying, some gaps remain too wide to bridge.