Reijnders strike helps Netherlands seal ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals | OneFootball

Tijjani Reijnders scored with Nathan Ake also featuring as the Netherlands became the latest European nation to seal their place at the 2026 World Cup finals thanks to a 4-0 win at home to Lithuania.

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Reijnders has emerged as one of the key figures for Ronald Koeman’s side across their Group G qualifying campaign.

And the City midfielder proved his worth once again by breaking the deadlock at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena, Reijnders firing home in the 16th minute after latching onto a fine Frenkie de Jong assist.

Only the width of the post then prevented Reijnders from doubling his and the Netherlands’ tally on the half hour after another sweeping Dutch move had overpowered the Lithuanian backline.

The hosts’ total dominance was then converted into tangible reward with a three-goal blast inside four minutes either side of the hour.

A Cody Gakpo penalty doubled the Netherlands lead on 58 minutes before efforts from Xavi Simons (60) and Donyell Malen (62) got the World Cup celebrations well and truly underway.

Victory meant Netherlands finished top of Group G with 20 points from eight games and so assured them of a place at next summer’s showpiece.

ALL SMILES: Tijjani Reijnders and Nathan Ake

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Elsewhere in Monday’s latest batch of European qualifiers Josko Gvardiol helped Croatia – who had had already confirmed their ticket to the finals – to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win away to Montenegro in their final Group L clash.

It was the hosts who raced out of the blocks in Podgorica, Milutin Osmajoc breaking the deadlock with just three minutes on the clock.

Things then got even tougher for the Croats on 17 minutes as Nikola Krstovic doubled Montenegro’s advantage.

However, Croatia halved the deficit shortly before half time when Ivan Perisic converted a penalty after a lengthy VAR check for a foul on Kristijan Jakic with Gvardiol then making way shortly after the restart.

Jakic then converted sustained second half Croatian pressure as he rifled home a 73rd minute show to draw the visitors level and a dramatic comeback was sealed three minutes from time when Nikola Vlasic stabbed home a late winner.

It meant Croatia finished top of Group L with 22 points from their eight games with their World Cup finals ticket already confirmed.