Xavi Simons played a goalscoring role for the Netherlands on Monday evening as they booked their place at next summer’s World Cup in some style.
Our Dutch forward struck the third goal in his nation’s 4-0 victory over Lithuania - receiving Cody Gakpo’s pass in the area, side-stepping a couple of challenges before slamming right-footed into the back of the net – to secure top spot of Group G for the Dutch.
Needing just a point to guarantee their berth at World Cup 2026, the Netherlands ran out comfortable winners at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam. Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders gave them a half-time lead before three goals in four minutes settled the contest with Gakpo converting a penalty before Xavi’s fine effort was followed by a strike from Aston Villa’s Donyell Malen.
Xavi’s goal was his sixth for his country on what was his 32nd cap and he played 78 minutes before being replaced by Luciano Valente, while Micky van de Ven remained an unused substitute. Meanwhile, the result means the Netherlands have now qualified for 12 World Cups.