Depay Breaks Dutch Record as Spain Germany Belgium Shine in Qualifiers

Photo:Reuters

Memphis Depay wrote his name into Dutch football history after becoming the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with two crucial goals in a dramatic 3-2 win against Lithuania in Kaunas.

The 31-year-old forward netted his 51st and 52nd international goals, overtaking the legendary Robin van Persie’s tally of 50. Depay opened the scoring in the 11th minute, showing his natural instincts in front of goal. Lithuania fought back bravely, but Depay once again stepped up at the right moment, firing the winner in the 63rd minute.

His double not only secured a hard-fought victory but also pushed the Netherlands to the top of Group G with 10 points from their opening four matches. The victory also underlined Depay’s lasting importance to the national side, a player who has carried the Dutch attack for nearly a decade.

Group G remains tight, however, as Poland also collected three points on the same day. The Polish side, led by their ever-reliable captain Robert Lewandowski, beat Finland 3-1 in Warsaw. Lewandowski’s name was again on the scoresheet, keeping Poland on equal points with the Netherlands, though they have played one extra game. Finland, meanwhile, sits in third place with seven points and remains in the hunt.

Spain Show Their Power with a 6-0 Victory

In Group E, Spain once again reminded Europe why they are considered one of the strongest footballing nations. Traveling to Turkey, the defending European champions delivered a crushing 6-0 win.

Mikel Merino was the star of the night with a brilliant hat trick, while Pedri scored twice to underline his growing reputation as one of the brightest young midfielders in world football. Ferran Torres added a sixth to complete the rout.

Spain’s coach praised his players for their hunger and unity, saying the team is constantly improving and still surprising even him. With two wins from two games, Spain sits firmly at the top of Group E with six points.

Close behind are Georgia, who beat Bulgaria 3-0. That victory leaves them just three points behind Spain, setting up an exciting clash when the two sides meet next month.

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Germany Bounces Back After Early Setback

Over in Group A, Germany finally got their first win of the qualifying campaign. After a disappointing 2-0 opening defeat to Slovakia, the four-time World Cup winners responded with a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in front of their home fans in Sinsheim.

The goals came in the second half, with Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz both finding the net, giving Germany a much-needed boost in confidence. Their next test will be against Luxembourg on October 10.

Meanwhile, Slovakia showed no signs of slowing down. They narrowly beat Luxembourg 1-0 to remain at the top of the group with six points.

Belgium’s Attack Shines Bright

Group J saw Belgium remind everyone of their attacking power. Playing in Brussels, they thrashed Kazakhstan 6-0, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku each scoring twice. The duo put on a masterclass of movement and finishing, leaving the visitors with no chance.

Belgium now sits second in the group with 10 points, just one point behind leaders North Macedonia. The Macedonians remain unbeaten after five games, winning three and drawing two. They showed their attacking intent with a 5-0 home win over Liechtenstein.

The opening goal came in dramatic style, as Eljif Elmas danced past five defenders before forcing an own goal from goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel. The win keeps North Macedonia’s dream of qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup alive.

Road to the 2026 World Cup

With the qualifiers heating up, every match is becoming crucial. Only the 12 group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in North America.

The teams finishing second will not be left out completely. Four more spots will be decided through a tense playoff round among the runners-up. That means every goal, every point, and every performance can make the difference between making history or missing out.

For players like Depay, Lewandowski, and De Bruyne, these qualifiers are not only about reaching another World Cup but also about cementing their legacies on the international stage. At the same time, emerging stars like Pedri, Wirtz, and Doku are showing that a new generation is ready to take European football forward.

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