Malta 0-4 Netherlands Player Ratings: Gakpo Rated 9.5/10 as His brace seals dominant 4-0 win for the Dutch

The match result was pretty much known before it was even started as the dutch side was filled with stars like Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo and others. Liverpool forward Gakpo calmly converted a penalty in the 12th minute after a foul by Kurt Shaw. It was a sign of things to come for the home side. The Dutch controlled every aspect of the game, as you can see from the table below, and their dominance was absolute. Malta struggled to get out of their own half for long periods.

The second half picked up right where the first left off. Another penalty, this time conceded by Enrico Pepe, was dispatched by Gakpo just three minutes after the restart. Manchester City outcast Tijjani Reijnders added a third with a cool finish before the hour mark, and substitute Memphis Depay capped off the scoring with a late header. It was a completely one-sided match that highlighted the gulf in class between the two nations.

Here are Malta Vs Netherlands Player Ratings

Malta Player Ratings vs Netherlands

Here are Malta Player Ratings vs Netherlands

Goalkeeper

Henry Bonello - 4.5: A brutal night for the Maltese keeper. Conceded four goals and was credited with an error leading to one. He did make four saves, a couple of which were decent stops. But he looked shaky and was let down by a defense that offered him very little protection. We felt for him, really.

Defenders

Ryan Camenzuli - 5.0: He was run ragged all evening, particularly struggling with the pace of the Dutch attackers. Dribbled past four times and picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. He never gave up, but this was a significant step up in quality that he found difficult to handle.

Kurt Shaw - 4.0: A night to forget for Shaw. Conceding the first penalty set the tone for a disastrous defensive display. While he made eight clearances which shows he was busy, being responsible for the opening goal and looking overwhelmed makes it a poor performance. He just couldn't handle the movement.

Enrico Pepe - 4.5: Like his central defensive partner, Pepe had a torrid time. He also gave away a penalty early in the second half and earned a yellow card for his troubles. He made a few important blocks, but was consistently pulled out of position by the clever Dutch forwards.

Juan Corbalan - 5.5: Statistically, he had 100% pass accuracy, which is something. However, he offered little going forward and was part of a backline that was completely dismantled. He put in a shift but was ultimately outclassed. He did manage three interceptions, which was a small positive.

Midfielders

Matthew Guillaumier - 6.0: The captain tried to get a foothold in the game for his team. He worked hard and even created one chance, but he was fighting a losing battle in midfield. He was tidy on the ball but couldn't influence the proceedings against the likes of Frenkie de Jong.

Joseph Mbong - 5.5: A frustrating outing. He missed a big chance early on that could have changed the complexion of the match, though it's unlikely. Showed some good energy and made six ball recoveries before being substituted. We noticed his effort but the final product was missing.

Ilyas Chouaref - 6.5: What stood out to us was his fight. In a team that was thoroughly beaten, Chouaref was one of the few who showed consistent desire and quality. He won seven duels and wasn't afraid to take players on. A bright spark on a very dark day for Malta.

Teddy Teuma - 6.0: Tried his best to link play but was swarmed by the Dutch midfield. His influence was limited, and his frustration showed with a late booking. He’s a quality player, but he couldn't get into the game at all. It was a tough watch seeing him so isolated.

Alexander Satariano - 5.5: He ran his socks off but to little effect. He was often chasing shadows and lost possession far too many times. He had one wild shot from distance which summed up his and Malta's desperation. You can't fault the effort, but the quality wasn't there.

Forwards

Irvin Cardona - 5.0: A thankless task. He was completely isolated upfront, chasing long balls and feeding on scraps. He picked up a yellow card and barely had a touch in the opposition box. It's difficult to rate him any higher when his team offered him so little support.

Substitutes

Adam Magri Overend, Yannick Yankam, Kemar Reid, Jodi Jones, Basil Tuma - N/A: The substitutes were thrown on when the game was already lost. They ran around a bit but failed to make any tangible impact on the proceedings. It was more about damage control by that point.

Manager

E. De Leo - 4.0: His team's game plan to sit deep and absorb pressure failed spectacularly. The indiscipline was shocking, conceding three penalties in total is unforgivable at this level. His side looked disjointed, demoralized, and tactically naive. A very poor showing from the manager.

Netherlands Player Ratings vs Malta

Here are Netherlands Player Ratings vs Malta

Goalkeeper

Bart Verbruggen - 6.5: Probably the easiest clean sheet he will ever keep. He had one save to make all game. His distribution was excellent, acting almost as an outfield player at times. He could have brought a book to read for most of the match.

Defenders

Jurriën Timber - 7.5: A Rolls-Royce of a defender. He was so composed on the ball, with a 95% pass completion rate. He even popped up to create a chance. He was never troubled defensively and strolled through the game with ease. A class act.

Virgil van Dijk - 6.5: The captain was solid, as you'd expect. He won his aerial duels but got a silly yellow card which was the only blot on his copybook. He missed a couple of headed chances from set-pieces he'd expect to do better with. An easy day at the office.

Micky van de Ven - 6.0: From our perspective, he looked a little less assured than his defensive partners. He lost possession a few too many times and looked a bit raw. He's got incredible pace but this wasn't his sharpest performance before he was subbed off.

Denzel Dumfries - 8.0: A fantastic performance from the wing-back. He was a constant threat down the right flank, providing a beautiful assist for the fourth goal. He was strong in the duel, defensively sound, and a real asset in attack. A complete display.

Midfielders

Ryan Gravenberch - 8.0: He was brilliant. Won the first penalty with a clever run into the box and was a creative force throughout. His ability to glide past players and pick a pass was a joy to watch. He completely bossed the midfield battle.

Tijjani Reijnders - 8.5: An all-action display. He got a well-deserved goal with a great finish. His energy was infectious, constantly breaking lines with his runs and recovering the ball high up the pitch. He had four shots and was a menace all game.

Frenkie de Jong - 7.5: Effortless. He just dictated the tempo of the game from deep before being rested. His passing was crisp and his dribbling from deep was exceptional. He makes the game look so easy, it's a pleasure to watch him play.

Forwards

Wout Weghorst - 7.0: He did what he does best - made himself a nuisance. He won the second penalty and was a physical handful for the Maltese defenders. His link-up play was effective before he was substituted. A solid shift.

C. Gakpo - 9.5: Clearly the man of the match and our highest-rated player. Two ice-cool penalties, an assist, and he created four chances. He was simply unplayable. Every time he got the ball, he looked like making something happen. A stunning performance from the forward.

Jeremie Frimpong - 7.5: A livewire. His pace and direct dribbling terrified the Maltese left-back. He completed six dribbles and was a constant outlet on the wing. It was a surprise to see him taken off, as he was causing so much trouble.

Substitutes

Memphis Depay - 7.5: Came on and immediately looked dangerous. Scored a great header to make it four. He could have had another, too. Looked sharp and hungry.

Donyell Malen, Justin Kluivert, Xavi Simons, Quilindschy Hartman - N/A: All came on to see out a comfortable win, with Kluivert providing two key passes. The intensity had dropped, but they kept the ball well.

Manager

R. Koeman - 8.5: His game plan was executed to perfection. The team selection was spot on, and his side showed a ruthless streak. He was able to rest key players like de Jong and Gakpo once the job was done. You can't ask for much more than that.

Sportsdunia's Player of the game is Gakpo