Netherlands defeats Andorra and secures a spot in the World Cup.
The Dutch benefited from Romania's defeat to secure first place in Group D with two rounds to spare; their victory over Andorra was 2-0.
World Cup Portal - The Netherlands secured qualification for the World Cup with two rounds to spare in Group D of the European Qualifiers. After a 2-0 victory over Andorra this Tuesday (September 10.09th), away from home, the Dutch reached 22 points in the table. With Romania's defeat to Turkey also by 2-0, the Netherlands can no longer be overtaken and thus secured direct qualification for the World Cup.
Romania, Turkey, and Hungary, which thrashed Estonia 5-1 on Tuesday, will fight in the last two rounds for second place in the group, which grants access to the European play-offs for the World Cup. Hungary has 14 points, one more than Türkiye and Romania.
The goals that secured the Netherlands' place in the World Cup were scored by Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie, who netted twice against Andorra and showed that he is one of the Oranje's main weapons for the World Cup, alongside fellow striker Robben of Bayern Munich.
With this qualification, the Netherlands will go to its tenth World Cup, its third in a row. The Dutch have reached the final three times, having been defeated in all three: in 1974, they lost to Germany 2-1; four years later, their nemesis was Argentina, who won 3-1; in 2010, they were beaten by Spain 1-0.