Football enthusiasts in the Netherlands are bracing themselves for a wait.
On Friday evening, the Dutch national team had a golden opportunity to secure their spot in next year’s World Cup, set to be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with a victory against Poland in Warsaw. However, that prospect slipped away as the match ended in an intense 1-1 draw.
Despite the setback, the Netherlands remains on the cusp of qualification for the final round in 2026. With just one match left in the qualifying campaign, they hold a three-point lead over Poland, coupled with a significantly superior goal difference—a crucial factor if scores are tied.
To cement their World Cup place, the Dutch need only a single point at home against Lithuania on Monday. Meanwhile, Poland faces a tougher uphill battle, needing a win against Malta and relying on a series of unlikely results to keep their hopes alive.
The stakes were abundantly clear for the Polish team; anything less than a win on Friday would complicate their path to the tournament. They came out swinging, creating a major opportunity barely a minute into the match when Atalanta’s Nicola Zalewski found himself in front of goal but squandered the chance, sending the ball wide.
The Netherlands dominated possession during much of the first half but struggled to carve out significant chances. Meanwhile, Poland bided its time, seizing an opportunity just before the halftime whistle. Robert Lewandowski orchestrated a brilliant setup, slipping the ball to Jakub Kaminski, who coolly fired it past Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The Netherlands struck back almost immediately after the break. Donyell Malen’s header was brilliantly saved by former FCK and AGF keeper Kamil Grabara, but Memphis Depay capitalized on the rebound, notching his 55th goal for the national team.
As the match progressed, both teams surged forward, and Poland nearly regained the lead when Lewandowski, usually so precise, failed to convert a golden chance. Instead, frustration mounted for the hosts, who now find themselves relying on a combination of miracles to secure direct entry to the World Cup. Their alternative would be a lower-stakes playoff path.
Earlier in the day, Finland, coached by Danish Jacob Friis, faced disappointment in the same qualifying group, falling 1-0 to a Malta side that was not expected to claim victory. This loss dashed the team’s final hopes of reaching the World Cup.
As the qualifying campaign heads into its climax, one thing is clear: the drama is far from over. Fans of the Oranje will be watching with bated breath as the final matches unfold.
