Netherlands vs. Latvia: Score, Grades and Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier
The Netherlands recorded a routine 6-0 win over Latvia to get their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign back on track, as Guus Hiddink's men finally put in the kind of performance people have grown accustomed to seeing from Oranje.
The hosts knew they had to show their fans something on Sunday and came out firing, nearly opening the score within minutes of the first whistle. Robin van Persie serviced Ibrahim Afellay, whose first-time effort rattled the post.
The goal fell just two minutes later, however, with Arjen Robben lofting the ball into the centre and Van Persie directing his header past Aleksandrs Kolinko. Bleacher Report UK shared the Vine:
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Van Persie may be struggling on the club level, but his international form over the past 25 matches has been just fine, via Squawka:
Robben was phenomenal in the opening 10 minutes, routinely switching flanks and putting tons of pressure on the defence. The Amsterdam crowd were visibly relieved with the early goal, cheering on the home team with renewed vigor.
It was Robben who nearly doubled the hosts' lead in the 12th minute, darting inside before unleashing a thunderous strike that ended up in the side netting. The Latvians had no answer for the Dutch onslaught, happy to hold possession once every while and defending with numbers.
Afellay was also heavily involved, directing a tame shot straight at Kolinko before nearly setting up the strikers with a cross. The first half didn't play out perfectly for Oranje, however, as Daley Blind was forced to leave the pitch with an injury after just 18 minutes.
The visitors nearly had a shocking equaliser when Valerijs Sabala was given a free header on goal, but he placed his effort just wide of the post. The chance led to the Dutch team reigniting their attack, but Wesley Sneijder's free-kick came closer to hitting the roof of the Amsterdam Arena than the goal.
Robben then produced a moment of brilliance, embarking on a long run before playing the one-two with Van Persie and finishing in style. As shared by Football Vines, the forward couldn't have curled it any better:
"What a goal Robben!! http://t.co/oqQEaWviXY
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) November 16, 2014"
Gregory van der Wiel wanted a penalty just minutes later for an apparent hand ball, but the official refused to put the ball on the spot. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar eased his team-mates' minds by adding a third, however, latching onto a cross from Afellay after space opened up due to a Latvian player staying down with an injury.
Up 3-0 at half-time, Goal believed Hiddink's seat became a little less hot:
The big lead resulted in the second half starting at a slower place, as the Dutch were happy to just conserve their three-goal advantage. The crowd didn't care one bit, unleashing the Mexican Wave in the 50th minute.
Latvia's defence easily handled the hosts' attack, but they nearly conceded a fourth goal when Robben directed a free-kick onto the cross bar. The Bayern Munich man became a little more involved again, going on another run that nearly resulted in a goal thanks to a deflection from Huntelaar.
Robben could have added to his tally in the 67th minute, failing to put his shot on target after another vintage cut inside. Jeffrey Bruma eventually made it 4-0, reacting quickest to a corner that was flicked on by Van Persie.
Latvia were desperate to avoid a 5-0 scoreline but there was simply no containing Robben, skipping past his defender before slotting home in the 82nd minute. Squawka had to make this joke:
Bleacher Report UK shared the goal was as vintage Robben as it gets:
Huntelaar completed the party by adding a sixth with a stunning spin-and-finish, as the Dutch team left the pitch to a standing ovation from the fans.
Player Grades
Arjen Robben: A
The Bayern Munich forward was at his very best Sunday, constantly driving at the defenders and beating his marker with ease. A little less selfishness in front of goal would have resulted in a perfect grade, but an A is still nothing to scoff about.
Ibrahim Afellay: B+
Very involved in the buildup, the Olympiakos man was handed the start over Memphis Depay and put in a solid outing. His calm on the ball presents an interesting partnership with the explosive Robben, and if he can stay healthy, he should be a regular starter moving forward.
Guus Hiddink: A
Did the Dutch manager get every decision right? No, but after losing four of his first five matches in charge, Hiddink needed something big, and he got it. Sitting Depay in favour of Afellay was a stroke of genius, and despite the criticism, he stuck with the attacking duo of Huntelaar and Van Persie, who both put in strong performances.
Post-Match Reaction
Dutch Football agrees Hiddink needed this result to ensure his job remained safe for now:
"FT Netherlands 6-0 Latvia Hiddink's job seems safe after goals from Robben x2, Huntelaar x2, Van Persie and Bruma.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) November 16, 2014"
Legendary Dutch international Ruud Gullit said the same thing at half-time:
Dirk Kuyt congratulated his former teammates:
Post-Match Outlook
The Netherlands were desperate for a win after the loss to Iceland and got exactly that, but the dominant manner in which they achieved the result is far more important. The squad needed a confidence boost and will anxiously await the result of the match between Iceland and the Czech Republic, their biggest rivals for qualification.
Latvia already chase the Dutch by four points and look unlikely to play any significant role in the rest of the qualifying campaign.
