Finland 0–2 Netherlands Player Ratings: The Dutch Thrash Finland in a One-Sided Winner in the World Cup Qualifiers

The Netherlands made a comfortable start to life in the World Cup qualifiers by beating Finland 2-0 at Helsingin Olympiastadion. The visitors had to barely get out of their second gear as they lived up to the pre-match expectations. Goals from Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries were well backed by a dominant defensive side that kept a clean sheet against a naive Finland side.

The Dutch made a fast start to the game as Depay pounced on an error from Kaan Kairinen. The forward latched onto a loose back pass before beating Lukas Hradecky with a fine lob. They were relentlessly searching for a second goal, and Dumfries answered the call.

The marauding full-back got on the end of a delicious delivery from Cody Gakpo to steer it home from close range with his right foot. The insurance goal made life easier for the visitors as they relaxed for a while. Finland improved going into the break with Oliver Antman and Joel Pohjanpalo linking up well.

The second half was more of a stroll in the park for the visitors as they turned into game management mode. Ronaldo Koeman smartly rotated his players, knowing they had a long season in their legs. The hosts, despite their best attempts, were barely able to stitch a few passes together and hurt the visitors. The clock painfully ticked to 90 minutes for their own liking.

The Netherlands face Malta next and will be hoping to register back-to-back wins. Finland must bounce back quickly and get a better result against group toppers Poland if they want to qualify for their first-ever World Cup.

Here are the Finland National Football Team vs Netherlands National Football Team Player Ratings.

Finland National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Lukas Hradecky-6/10

On his 100th international appearance, he had to be in top form to deny the Dutch multiple times. Racked up some sharp saves but failed to prevent his side from losing.

Defenders

Nikolai Alho-6/10

The fullback had no business in attacking half as he was completely occupied by Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool winger beat him too often and easily.

Robert Ivanov-6/10

He was sloppy multiple times as the pacy Dutch attackers breezed past him. But later found his bearings and put up an improved display by breaking with the ball out of defence.

Attu Hoskonen-6/10

Committed into tackles a few times rashly as he was given the slip by Depay multiple times. Put some crucial blocks when needed.

Jere Uronen-6/10

He could barely catch a break as Frimpong and Dumfries bombarded down his flank. But he did well to close down the gaps and not let the wingbacks have it easy all the time.

Midfielders

Miro Tenho-6/10

Had the most attacking instinct for his side in the middle of the park. Delivered a few good crosses and played multiple passes between the lines.

Matti Peltola-6/10

Started the game in defensive midfield and battled past the Dutch lynchpins. However, there wasn't much success in his travels. Shifted to centre-back late on in the game.

Forwards

Oliver Antman-6.5/10

Posed a threat on the break, always and he took four of the five shots his side had. Could've easily had better outcomes from them, but he failed to judge the shots correctly.

Kaan Kairinen-5/10

Played an awkward back pass with his chest that directly led to Depay's goal. With the burden of gifting a goal, he wasn't able to create freely.

Robin Lod-6/10

The veteran had a few chances to break away clinically but fluffed his lines at times. Failed to retreat and aid his defence on time.

Joel Pohjanpalo-6/10

The veteran striker was starved of service as he dropped deep to win the ball back on his own. Struggled to make meaningful runs and generate chances.

Substitutes

Fredrik Jensen-6/10

Benjamin Kallman-6/10

Ilmari Niskanen-6/10

Glen Kamara-6/10

Onni Valakari-6/10

Manager

Jacob Friis-6/10

The manager named the best lineup at his disposal, expecting a Dutch barrage. But his side wasn't able to cope with them in any way. The forward line was sorry for themselves as they barely got a sniff of the ball.

Netherlands National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Mark Flekken-7/10

The Bayer Leverkusen bound goalkeeper had precious little to do throughout the game except for a couple of regulation saves to keep his clean sheet.

Defenders

Denzel Dumfries-8.5/10

The rampaging fullback was making threatening runs all game long and got his reward with a superb finish. He was solid defensively as well.

Jan Paul Van Hecke-6/10

The centre-back got into the book for an ill-timed challenge and was hauled off at halftime as the manager wanted no risks.

Virgil van Dijk-7.5/10

The man mountain didn't break a sweat as he repelled whatever Finland threw at him. He was a regular threat at set pieces as well.

Nathan Ake-7/10

The Manchester City player stayed back with the centre-backs at times to make it a back three. He had some attacking moments as well, but they didn't materialize.

Midfielders

Frenkie de Jong-8/10

The midfielder had a passing masterclass as he showed how easy football can be at times. He was a volume passer who made sure his side always had the ball.

Tijjani Reijnders-7/10

Started as the deepest midfielder, but he could barely hide his love for goals. Drew forward subconsciously and was close to adding a goal. He was booked for a poor challenge.

Ryan Gravenberch-7.5/10

The Premier League's best young player proved his worth with yet another intelligent performance. He won the ball back multiple times and showed off his chance-creating skills against a Finland side that was pinned back.

Forwards

Cody Gakpo-7/10

Had an extremely eventful outing as he was involved in the thick of things. Ran at defence and created multiple chances with his crossing. One such cross was turned home by Dumfries. Should've fired home a goal, but the narrow angle was against him.

Memphis Depay-8/10

Started the game on a high after stealing the ball and lobbing Hradecky intelligently. Kept working all game long to break into the Oranje's all-time top scorer on his own.

Jeremie Frimpong-6.5/10

The flying fullback played as a winger and caused some trouble. His downward header was brilliantly saved by Hradecky. Failed to pick his teammates with some promising crosses, though.

Substitutions

Stefan de Vrij-6/10

Micky Van de Ven-6/10

Justin Kluivert-6/10

Wout Weghort-6/10

Xavi Simons-6/10

Manager

Ronald Koeman-8/10

He knew the task ahead and didn't go for complacency anywhere. Once his side got the result, he started rotating them and saw the game out without any risks.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Denzel Dumfries