Memphis Depay Equals Netherlands All-Time Scoring Record vs Malta

Memphis Depay scored twice in the Netherlands' dominant 8-0 victory over Malta in their World Cup qualifying match, equaling Robin van Persie's record of 50 goals for the Dutch national team in just 102 appearances. The goals came early, with a penalty followed by a powerful strike from the edge of the area, setting the tone for a comprehensive win that included goals from Donyell Malen, Virgil van Dijk, Xavi Simons, Noa Lang, and Micky van de Ven. The Netherlands displayed overwhelming dominance, scoring three goals within the first 20 minutes, marking one of the fastest three-goal leads in team history, and matched their biggest-ever win against Malta. Coach Ronald Koeman celebrated his 50th match in charge as the Dutch secured their second consecutive Group G qualifier victory, maintaining a joint lead with Poland. Depay's milestone was widely celebrated, highlighting his status as one of the Netherlands' all-time top scorers and underscoring his ongoing impact at both club and international levels. The Dutch team's strong start in the qualifiers positions them well for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup.