Soccer-Depay equals scoring record as Dutch thrash Malta
Soccer Football - World Cup - European Qualifiers - Group G - Netherlands v Malta - Euroborg Stadion, Groningen, Netherlands - June 10, 2025 Malta players look dejected after the match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
GRONINGEN, Netherlands (Reuters) -Memphis Depay scored twice to equal the Netherlands' goal-scoring record as the Dutch hammered Malta 8-0 on Tuesday for a second successive World Cup qualifying victory.
Depay converted a ninth-minute penalty and fired home a powerful shot seven minutes later to match Robin van Persie's record of 50 goals for the Dutch national team. Both achieved the tally in 102 appearances.
Substitute Donyell Malen also scored a double with captain Virgil van Dijk, Xavi Simons, Noa Lang and Micky van de Ven adding the other goals as the Dutch won a second Group G qualifier after beating Finland in Helsinki on Saturday.
Depay's opener at the Euroborg stadium came after Justin Kluivert was clipped in the penalty area, followed swiftly by his 50th goal for his country.
That proved a much more impressive effort as the ball was pulled back from the byline for Depay to thrash it home from the edge of the area.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in London; Editing by Toby Davis)
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