Netherlands 2-0 Qatar: Cody Gakpo continues World Cup 2022 scoring run to leave hosts pointless

Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong scored either side of half-time to help the Netherlands cruise into the World Cup last 16 – and ensure Qatar exit their home tournament without a single point.

Having secured four points in Group A before this game, Louis van Gaal's side knew a draw would suffice to seal a place in the knockout stages. And they were able to stroll to a simple 2-0 victory at Al Bayt Stadium to ensure top spot in the group, thanks to a couple of moments of trademark Dutch class.

The game started in predictable fashion, with the Netherlands dominating possession and almost scoring inside 10 minutes, with Davy Klassen and Daley Blind both seeing their efforts blocked from close range.

It then opened up for Gakpo to plunder his third goal in as many World Cup games – and no doubt heighten the transfer speculation around him, given links to Manchester United – with a clinical finish into the bottom corner on 27 minutes.

The Dutch seemed to take their foot off the accelerator from that moment onwards, knowing a win would wrap up first place in Group A. That didn't stop De Jong getting in on the action, though, as he doubled the lead when following up Memphis Depay's shot with the Qatari defence on their heels.

Substitutes Vincent Janssen and Steven Berghuis then combined for what the Netherlands thought was a third goal, but Gakpo was penalised by VAR for a handball in the build-up. Berghuis was then denied in stoppage time by the crossbar.