- Netherlands secure a narrow 3-2 win vs Lithuania
- Surrendered two-goal lead before Memphis goal
- Van Dijk has asked teammates to ‘look into the mirror’
Netherlands secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Lithuania, ranked 143rd by FIFA, on Sunday. They initially led 2-0, but two quick goals from the minnows within seven minutes levelled the score just before half-time. It was not until Memphis Depay scored his second goal in the 63rd minute that Oranje regained the lead.
“We had a good 2-0 lead, but it ended too easily at 2-2, which made things difficult for ourselves. It was simply bad. The most important thing is the three points, but if we want to make progress, this obviously can’t happen.” Van Dijk said.
Having struggled against Lithuania, Van Dijk has urged his team-mates to reflect and improve their performances, saying: “We all need to look in the mirror and do much better. An evening like this shouldn’t happen. Are we being tough enough on each other? Yes. Of course, we’ll talk to each other and show each other videos. We’ll definitely discuss it after the match. When we meet again next time, we need to make things right together. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
Sunday’s victory comes days after Ronald Koeman’s team were held to a 1-1 draw with Poland. The two teams are level on points at the top of the group, though the Dutch have a game in hand over their main rivals for pole position.
Netherlands will face Malta and Finland in their next World Cup qualifiers in October before visiting Poland and hosting Lithuania the following month.
