World Cup qualifiers - Deppen Kankopo assists Dumfries to score, Netherlands starts 2-0 with a good start!

On a rainy night at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, the Orange-Clothing Legion cut through the Nordic defense line with a precise scalpel attack. In the early morning of June 8, the Netherlands defeated Finland 2-0 away in the third round of Group G of the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers, and achieved a good start to the World Cup qualifiers with Depp's lightning score and Dumfries' push shot. This victory not only continued the Netherlands' four-game winning streak against Finland, but also showed the team's tactical maturity under Van Gaal's rule with a 65% ball possession rate and 18 shots.

1. Lightning breaks: 7 minutes set the tone of the victory

Only 7 minutes of the game started, Finnish defender Pertola made a fatal mistake in the return pass. Depp was quick to intercept the ball and then calmly shot the ball, making a fantasy start for the Dutch team. This goal is not only the first record for the national team in the two consecutive qualifiers for Depp, but also exposes the fragility of the Finnish defense line under high pressure. Data shows that the Dutch team completed five shots in the first 15 minutes, three of which came from the wing cross, and Gakepo's breakthrough on the left echoed Depp's running position perfectly.

Finnish coach Canelva quickly adjusted the formation and changed 3-4-3 to 5-4-1 to strengthen the defense, but the Dutch offensive did not weaken. In the 11th minute, Flynnon made a cross from the right, and Dumfries, who was surrounded by the back point, headed the ball and was saved by Finnish goalkeeper Hradetsky. This threatening attack indicates the dominance of the Dutch team's wing offense.

2. Wing Storm: Director Gakebo's offensive aesthetics

In the 23rd minute, the Dutch team's wing advantage turned into a goal. After Garkepo received De Jong's straight pass from the left, he used a light pick pass to find Dumfries who was encircled by the back point, who scored a goal to widen the score to 2-0. This goal showed the three-dimensionality of the Dutch team's offense: Garkebo's breakthrough, De Jong's dispatch, and Dumfries' back insertion to form a complete chain. Data shows that Garkepo completed 4 successful passes in the whole game, creating 3 excellent opportunities, and becoming the most active piece on the Dutch team's offensive end.

The Dutch team's wing tactics do not rely solely on breakthroughs, but create space through passing and cutting. De Jong's dispatch in the midfield is particularly critical. His passing success rate is as high as 92%, and he accurately points the side to guide the offensive direction many times. This tactical design made Finland's five-back defense line lose sight of each other, and was forced to make 14 clearances throughout the game, including 6 from the top of the penalty area.

3. Defensive rock: Van Dijk leads the opponent with zero marks

Although Finland strengthens long passes and rushes in the second half, Van Dijk leads the defense line showing strong dominance. The Dutch central defender combination completed 8 clearances and 5 interceptions in the whole game, and Van Dijk's success rate in air confrontation was as high as 90%. It is worth noting that the Netherlands did not ignore the defensive conversion under the advantage of ball control. Kuppmenas contributed 5 steals throughout the game, effectively blocking the Finnish team's counterattack route.

The Finnish team's offensive difficulties are particularly obvious in data: only three shots in the game and none of them are on the right track, with less than 35% possession rate, and core forward Pohyan Palo was absent from the team due to a knee injury, resulting in the team's lack of fulcrum. Dutch goalkeeper Noppert had a relatively relaxed night and had to make a clean break with just one save.

4. Tactical Code: Van Gaal's three central defenders' innovation

This game is Van Gaal's third tactical testing ground for coaching the Netherlands. He combined the three-center-back system with high-level offense on the wing, allowing Dumfries and Flynnon to frequently insert, forming a triangle offensive zone with "fullback-winter-midfield". This tactical design gave the Dutch a local numerical advantage in the offense, with 21 crosses in the game, seven of which came from Dumfries’ right corridor.

On the defensive end, the flexibility of the three-center-back system is fully reflected. When Finland tries to penetrate through the winger, the combination of Van Dek and De Ligt (although not selected for this game) can quickly fill up, while the wingback’s return to the defense forms a second line of defense. This tactical balance allows the Dutch team to avoid the defensive loopholes in the traditional all-off and all-defense system while maintaining the ball.

5. Post-match echo: The deep revelation behind the data

This victory not only allowed the Netherlands to lead Group G with 9 points with all three games, but also exposed the structural problems of the Finnish team. Finnish coach Canelva admitted after the game: "The lack of fulcrum players like Puki makes our offense lack a sense of layering." As for the Dutch team, Van Gaal expressed satisfaction with the team's performance: "We maintained tactical discipline under high pressure, which is the key."

The media's focus is on the Dutch team's youthfulness process. Garkepo, 22, and Dumfries, 24, have become the core of the team, the former has contributed 14 goals and 9 assists to Liverpool this season, while the latter has shown an all-round attribute of offense and defense in international games. Beijing media pointed out: "The Dutch team's wing combination is redefining the role of modern full-back." Shanghai media emphasized: "De Jong's midfield control makes the Dutch team's offense flowing."

6. Future Challenge: Touchstone before the UEFA League finals

After this game, the Dutch team will usher in the UEFA League finals with Portugal in the early morning of June 9. Although Van Gaal may rotate in the finals, the World Cup victory injected confidence into the team. It is worth noting that the tactical diversity shown by the Netherlands in this World Cup - being able to break dense defense through crosses from the wing, and controlling the ball in the midfield to suppress their opponents - will become a weapon for them to deal with teams of different styles.

As Depp said in a post-match interview, "We are building a new Dutch football philosophy." This 2-0 victory was not only a 3-pointer in the standings, but also a milestone in the transformation of Dutch football from "youth storm" to "tactical maturity". When Garkepo's pass through the rain screen to find Dumfries, we see not only a goal, but also a light of hope for the revival of the Orange Legion.