The Netherlands beat Norway 2-0 to book their place at the World Cup finals in Qatar as the latter missed out to find a berth.
Late goals from Tottenham Hotspur’s Steven Bergwijn and Barcelona’s in-form Memphis Depay helped the Dutch finish the campaign on top of Group G.
The match played out in an empty De Kuip at Rotterdam was uneventful except for the goals as both sides lacked sharpness in front of the attack.
Norway, who played their last games without injured star striker Erling Braut Haaland did not qualify as they missed out on the play-off spot from the group to Turkey, who came from behind to beat Montenegro 2-1 and finished second.
Memphis Depay was directly involved in more goals than any other player during UEFA World Cup qualifying:
◎ 10 games
◉ 12 goals
◉ 6 assistsTalismanic. 💪 pic.twitter.com/G1tFU4aQnD
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 16, 2021
Louis van Gaal who fractured his leg in a bike accident, was absent to see his side returning to the world cup after eight years.
The Orange, famous for their attractive football, were often unconvincing during the campaign as Depay carried them in most of the matches.