WARSAW, Poland (Kashmir English): The Netherlands need only draw at home on Monday to qualify for the FIFA World Cup tournament to be staged next year in the US, Canada and Mexico.
On Friday, the Dutch kept up their three-point advantage over Poland in their World Cup qualifying group as the two sides drew 1-1, leaving the Dutch only a point away from qualification.
Jakub Kaminski gave Poland a halftime lead as they needed victory to keep alive slim hopes of topping Group G and securing automatic qualification for next year’s grand event.
Memphis Depay replied for the visitors at Stadion Narodowy – a retractable roof football stadium located in Warsaw, Poland and the home stadium of the Poland national team – shortly after the break.
Subsequently, the Dutch moved to 17 points with Poland second in the group standings on 14.
The Netherlands now need only draw in Amsterdam when they meet bottom-placed Lithuania in their last game on Monday, to book their World Cup berth.
The Dutch controlled possession for much of the opening half, blunting Poland’s ambitions but without making inroads themselves.
Both teams were unable to carve out any clear chances despite bringing on fresh legs although the game was played at a high tempo to the end.
Virgil van Dijk marked his 71st game as the Dutch captain, equaling Frank de Boer’s record. The defender said it had been a hard evening’s work, “especially against a low block we could not create a lot of clear chances.”
“We lost possession also to give them chances on the counter attack. We had to be wary of their counter and it was good we were able to equalise not long after they had scored.”
The Netherlands, Poland two top teams in the group
With Finland having suffered a setback at home against Malta earlier on Friday, the Netherlands and Poland are sure to finish in the top two places in the group.
The runners-up in the group advance to the European playoff in March 2026.
