After their absence in Russia 2018, the three-time World Cup runner-up Netherlands will return to a World Cup, Qatar-2022, thanks to their 2-0 victory against Norway on Tuesday in Rotterdam behind closed doors.
The 'Oranje' of Louis Van Gaal finishes Group G as the leader with 23 points, two more than Turkey, who won in Montenegro (2-1) and will participate in the playoffs, while Norway and Erling Haaland will once again be absent from a tournament they have not attended since France 1998.
The hosts, the only ones who depended on themselves before the tenth and final matchday, suffered more than expected to secure their direct ticket until forward Steven Bergwijn brought tranquility to his team with a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 84th minute, before FC Barcelona player Memphis Depay completed a lightning counterattack to score the final 2-0 (90+1).
In a stadium without spectators due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, and with coach Van Gaal watching the match from a wheelchair in a VIP box and constantly communicating with the bench via mobile phone, the Netherlands experienced a few tense moments as they could have been eliminated if Norway scored a goal while Turkey took the lead against Montenegro.
But without the injured Haaland, Norway lacked bite and 'The Tulips' will be able to blossom in Qatar in a year's time.
Netherlands vs. Norway: confirmed lineups
Netherlands: Cillessen; Dumfries, de Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind; Wijnaldum, de Jong, Klaassen; Bergwijn, Depay, Danjuma.
Norway: Nyland; Pedersen, Strandberg, Hanche-Olsen, Meling; Odegaard, Thorsby, Normann; Elyounoussi, Sorloth, Solbakken.
Netherlands vs. Norway: match times around the world
Peru: 2:45 p.m.
Colombia: 2:45 p.m.
Ecuador: 2:45 p.m.
Bolivia: 3:45 p.m.
Paraguay: 4:45 p.m.
Mexico: 1:45 p.m.
Chile: 4:45 p.m.
Venezuela: 3:45 p.m.
Argentina: 4:45 p.m.
Uruguay: 4:45 p.m.
Brazil: 4:45 p.m.
United States (Los Angeles): 12:45 p.m.
United States (New York): 2:45 p.m.
Spain: 8:45 p.m.