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.
In Groningen, the Dutch raced into a three-goal lead against their overawed opponents inside the opening 20 minutes.
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.