Netherlands vs Qatar 2-0 – World Cup 2022: As it happened

After welcoming the world to the grandest of stages, Qatar humbly bows out of the tournament.

Netherlands take top spot in Group A with seven points, while Senegal, after their 2-1 win over Ecuador, finish runners-up with six points.

Ecuador and Qatar will have to say goodbye though as they exit the tournament having compiled four and zero points respectively.

We thank you again for joining us and urge you to check out our live blog coverage of the upcoming England-Wales and Iran-USA matches to follow later today.

But before you do head off, make sure to get all the details of this match in our report here.

9/9 – The Netherlands have progressed from their first round group in all nine attempts at the World Cup; the best 100% opening group record by any nation at the #FIFAWorldCup. Procede. pic.twitter.com/iyApGbutUX

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 29, 2022

Qatar have become the first Host Nation to lose all of their group matches at a World Cup:

🏟️ 3 games
❌ 3 losses
📉 0 points

🥅 7 goals conceded
⚽ 1 goal scored

The worst record of any Host Nation. 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/VzGaWzuuy2

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 29, 2022

Three World Cup games, three goals. Cody Gakpo, literally flying. ⭐️🇳🇱 #Qatar2022 #QatarWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/Eeb0FHuqwm

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2022

With the final blow of the whistle, Qatar’s World Cup comes to a close as the Netherlands win 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium.

The Dutch were able to take the lead early, thanks to Gakpo’s third goal of the tournament.

Frenkie de Jong added another in the second half as they looked to solidify their position at the top of Group A. They could have made it three if it weren’t for a disallowed goal due to an untimely handball by Gakpo.

Qatar did have their moments, though, and despite not being able to get onto the scoresheet, they will be pleased to have contained the Dutch to just the two goals.

The Maroon fans behind Qatar’s goal are trying to wake up the rest of the stadium.

They are cheering and beating their drums.

But it seems like the rest of the Maroon fans in the stadium want to have none of it.

The atmosphere isn’t lively, to put it mildly.

The attacking midfielder receives the ball at the top of the right corner of the box and sends in a lovely curling strike at net.

The ball ends up evading the grasp of Barsham, but unluckily for the Dutchman, it strikes the top left corner of the bar.

That is the second chance Berghuis has had in this half after an earlier disallowed goal due to Gakpo’s handball.

Got to feel for him there a little.

90+2 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

With a slightly more lively second half, the fourth official has signalled for six more minutes of stoppage time.

90 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

The other goal scorer for Netherlands, de Jong, comes off to little applause. His replacement, Kenneth Taylor, rushes out onto the field.

87 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Sanchez gets into the act as Mohamad and Hatem come off in favour of Musaab Khidir and Ahmed Alaaeldin.

86 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

They have definitely raised their intensity in these last few minutes as they look to get at least one goal on the board before clocking out.

A few spirited attacks have been ultimately dealt with by the Dutch backline.

Some changes are made by the Netherlands as goal-scorer Gakpo and de Roon come off for Wout Weghorst and Teun Koopmeiners.

84 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

With a good period of possession from Qatar, and some attacking football by the hosts, Dutch fans are starting to look nervous again – they shouldn’t, really, as they two goals to the good.

Qatar are sitting quite deep as the Netherlands advance on their territory.

Mohamad does win the ball and sprints off for a counter. After being initially stifled by the Dutch defence, Qatar are able to send another attack.

They come down the left as Asad tries to beat Noppert at the near post, but the keeper is able to handle it.

80 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Dutch not seeded but became proxy seeds, once drawn against Qatar

Their World Cup path

Last 16: expect to meet survivor of Iran v USA

QF: Argentina seeded here & are now again favourites to win group (but Poland might too) or Denmark.

SF: Brazil/Spain or whoever beats them.

— Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) November 29, 2022

Dumfries continues to influence the action as he makes a run from the right. The angle is closed down as he gets to the near post, and he tries a quick shot to catch Barsham off guard, but the keeper is up to the task.

74 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

After a quick VAR check for a possible handball by Gakpo, the referee has ruled out the goal.

Unfortunate for Berghuis, who just got onto the field. Qatari fans will breathe a little easier, but with less than 20 minutes left, it may not make a huge amount of difference.

70 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Their team may be two goals down, but the Maroon fans are not heading for the exit like many did in the first World Cup 2022 game against Ecuador. Perhaps they know that expecting their team to beat the Dutch was always a tall order.

The Netherlands are marching into the last 16 as Berghuis makes it 3-0.

He receives the ball inside the box and is able to slot it past the keeper.

Hold on. There are complaints from the Qatari players about a possible handball by Gakpo. VAR being called into play …

68 mins: Netherlands 3-0 Qatar

Time for some changes from the Netherlands. Davy Klaasen and Memphis Depay look to be making way for Steven Berghuis and Vincent Janssen.

67 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Sanchez looks to change things up. Qatar bring on Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Muntari and Ali Asad for Ali, Madibo and Alhaydos.

65 mins: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Here’s how the stats are looking: