Gakpo double affords Netherlands a routine win
Cody Gakpo scored two penalties as Netherlands moved three points clear in Group G with a comfortable 4-0 win over Malta in their FIFA World Cup qualifying clash.
Gakpo also set up Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders for Netherlands' third goal, with Ronald Koeman's side now turning its attention to Finland on Monday (AEDT).
But the Oranje survived an early scare in the opening minute when Virgil van Dijk's backpass was intercepted by Joseph Mbong, but he was unable to finish from a tight angle.
However, Netherlands quickly found its groove and was awarded a penalty when Kurt Shaw tripped Ryan Gravenberch in the box, despite Wout Weghorst finding the back just before referee Duje Strukan blew his whistle.
Gakpo stepped up to send the spot-kick beyond Henry Bonello in the 12th minute, with the Liverpool forward then hitting the post three minutes after opening the scoring.
The visitors were unable to add to their tally at Ta'Qali National Stadium before the break, but wasted little time in doubling the advantage shortly after the restart.
Enrico Pepe dragged down Weghorst inside the area, with Gakpo making no mistake from 12 yards again as he placed the ball into the bottom-right corner with ease.
Gakpo thought he had completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute as he powered a header home from Jeremie Frimpong's cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
But the in-form attacker would be involved again soon after, capitalising on a mistake by Bonello before unselfishly squaring the ball for Reijnders to apply the finishing touch.
The win was sealed in the third minute of second-half stoppage-time when Denzel Dumfries's fierce cross was brilliantly steered into the net by the head of Memphis Depay.
Ronald Koeman believes his Netherlands side is almost certain of a spot in next year's FIFA World Cup now.
"We won 0-4, so that's good," he said. "I don't find it frustrating, but we could have done things better.
"I thought we started well, although we gave away a chance to Malta in the third minute. Is the job done? For the most part, yes.
"You have to win the home game, but we want to win all three games. We also owe it to our position to become first.
"Whether I look back with satisfaction? It's not over yet. I'll be satisfied if we finish first in the group, but it's not like we're going to run the polonaise."
Gakpo stole the show, the Liverpool forward becoming the first Dutch player to score twice from the penalty spot in a single game – excluding shootouts – since Rob Rensenbrink against Iran at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
"I was allowed to take the penalty because Memphis was not on the field," Gakpo said.
"There was not really a clear agreement who could take him; it was up to me and Wout Weghorst.
"At Liverpool, I can never take them. But normally it goes pretty well for me. I only missed a penalty kick once. That was for PSV against FC Copenhagen."
