The king of small ties became the absolute king of the Dutch national team
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 12.10.25. | 22:50
The Netherlands routinely win against Finland. Memphis Depay made history again
Memphis Depay continues to make history, at least on paper.
A month after becoming the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands (54 goals), tonight he also took the throne as the team's top assister - 35 assists. A king of statistics, but not of decisive moments. A country that gave the world Cruyff, Gullit, Van Basten, Bergkamp, and Van Persie now has a record-holder who has never been a true superstar.
But for qualifiers, he’s more than enough.
Memphis Depay already was the all-time top scorer in the history of the Netherlands.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 12, 2025
He just became their all-time leader in assists as well (35) 🤯 pic.twitter.com/H8TO0U8uNU
Against Finland tonight (4-0), Depay had it all in the first 45 minutes - two goals and an assist. Alongside Donny van de Beek, he tore apart the Finnish defense and brought the Oranje almost to the World Cup. Only a miracle can now stop them.
Depay has become Koeman's go-to man: 22 goals and 11 assists in 21 World Cup qualifying matches! Numbers for the headlines.
But when the big stage lights turn on - silence.
At World Cups and European Championships: 19 matches, only 6 goals, and three assists. Only one goal in the knockout stages. When the Netherlands needs a hero, Depay disappears in the haze of expectations.
🇳🇱🪄 Memphis Depay (31) with 2 assists + 1 goal for Netherlands! ✅
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 12, 2025
He is Netherlands' all-time top goalscorer and assister. pic.twitter.com/oWrxjBsNFi
Perhaps because he's never been a classic number nine.
Van Basten, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar - these were the strikers who carried the Oranje machine. Today's alternatives are Wout Weghorst, Joshua Zirkzee, Brobbey, Jansen, while Strasbourg’s forward Emegha is knocking on the door. And while the Netherlands produces defenders and midfielders on a conveyor belt - Van Dijk, De Jong, Simons, Reijnders - true forwards are missing.
Depay exploits that and deservedly writes his place in history. But for the Netherlands to dance next summer to Cruyff's rhythm, rather than stumble in the quarterfinals, they'll need more than the king of numbers. They'll need the king of moments.
WC QUALIFIERS - EUROPE
Saturday
Latvia - Andorra 2-2 (1-1)
/Zelenkovs 41, Gutkovskis 55 pen - San Nicolas 33, Bryan Olivera 78/
Hungary - Armenia 2-0 (0-0)
/Lukacs 56, Gruber 90+4/
Norway - Israel 5-0 (3-0)
/Khalaili 18 (og), Nachmias 28 (og), Haaland 27, 63, 72/
Bulgaria - Turkey 1-6 (1-1)
/Kirilov 13 - Guller 11, Popov 49 (og), Yildiz 51, 56, Celik 65, Kahveci 90+3/
Estonia - Italy 1-3 (0-2)
/Sappinen 76 - Kean 4, Retegui 38, Esposito 74/
Portugal - R. Ireland 1-0 (0-0)
/Neves 90+1/
Serbia - Albania 0-1 (0-1)
/Manaj 45+1/
Spain - Georgia 2-0 (1-0)
/Pino 24, Oyarzabal 64/
Sunday
San Marino - Cyprus 0-4 (0-1)
/Loizou 9, Andreou 59, Kastanos 57 pen, Kakouilis 79/
Faroe Islands - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
/Sorensen 67, Agnarsson 81 - Karabec 78/
Nethelands - Finland 4-0 (3-0)
/Malen 8, Van Dijk 17, Depay 38 pen, Gakpo 84/
Scotland - Belarus 2-1 (1-0)
/Adams 15, McTominay 84 - Kuchko 90+6/
Croatia - Gibraltar IN PROGRESS
Denmark - Greece IN PROGRESS
Lithuania - Poland IN PROGRESS
Romania - Austria IN PROGRESS
Monday
21.45: (15.0) Iceland (7.25) France (1.18)
21.45: (1.32) Macedonia (4.80) Kazakhstan (11.0)
21.45: (8.00) Northern Ireland (5.30) Germany (1.35)
21.45: (1.33) Slovakia (4.90) Luxembourg (10.5)
21.45: (5.30) Slovenia (3.60) Switzerland (1.70)
21.45: (1.33) Sweden (5.00) Kosovo (10.0)
21.45: (1.25) Ukraine (6.00) Azerbaijan (11.0)
21.45: (4.90) Wales (3.60) Belgium (1.75)
***odds are subject to change***
