In Groningen, the Dutch raced into a three-goal lead against their overawed opponents inside the opening 20 minutes.
Netherlands thrash Malta in World Cup qualifying
Netherlands maintained their winning start to European 2026 World Cup qualifying by dismissing Malta 8-0 on Tuesday.
Memphis Depay converted from the spot on nine minutes, before doubling the lead with a rifled finish from the edge of the box seven minutes later.
Depay's brace brought the 31-year-old to 50 international goals -- level with former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie as the Netherlands' all-time leading goalscorer.
Captain Virgil van Dijk killed the match off as a tie when he stepped onto the ball and arrowed a right-footed finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The Oranje then turned on the afterburners inside the final half-hour as Xavi Simons, Donyell Malen, who got two, Noa Lang and Micky van de Ven all netted.
Elsewhere, Serbia eased past Andorra 3-0 to move to third in Group K on four points courtesy of an Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick.
They trail Albania in second by one point and sit level with Latvia after those sides played out a 1-1 draw in Riga.
Austria beat San Marino 4-0 to go second in Group H, three points behind leaders Bosnia and Hercegovina who have played an extra match.
Marko Arnautovic scored a brace inside the opening quarter-hour, as Michael Gregoritsch and Christoph Baumgartner completed the scoring in Serravalle.
Romania defeated Cyprus 2-0, but dropped to third in the group after Austria's second win from two outings.






























