• Memphis Depay (L) of Netherlands celebrates with teammate Steven Bergwijn after scoring the 2-0 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group G qualyfing soccer match between the Netherlands and Norway at de Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 16 November 2021. EPA / MAURICE VAN STEEN
    Memphis Depay (L) of Netherlands celebrates with teammate Steven Bergwijn after scoring the 2-0 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group G qualyfing soccer match between the Netherlands and Norway at de Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 16 November 2021. EPA / MAURICE VAN STEEN
  • Memphis Depay of Netherlands reacts at the final whistle. A 2-0 victory saw the Dutch qualify for the 2022 World Cup. EPA
    Memphis Depay of Netherlands reacts at the final whistle. A 2-0 victory saw the Dutch qualify for the 2022 World Cup. EPA
  • Memphis Depay of Netherlands scores to make it 2-0. EPA
    Memphis Depay of Netherlands scores to make it 2-0. EPA
  • Netherlands' head coach Louis van Gaal watches on from the stands. EPA
    Netherlands' head coach Louis van Gaal watches on from the stands. EPA
  • Netherlands forward Memphis Depay slides to slot home the Netherlands' second. AFP
    Netherlands forward Memphis Depay slides to slot home the Netherlands' second. AFP
  • Netherlands forward Memphis Depay celebrates scoring, AFP
    Netherlands forward Memphis Depay celebrates scoring, AFP
  • Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk, left, competes with Norway's Alexander Sorloth. AP Photo
    Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk, left, competes with Norway's Alexander Sorloth. AP Photo
  • Norway's Stian Gregersen, right, and Netherlands' Memphis Depay collide as they compete for the ball. AP Photo
    Norway's Stian Gregersen, right, and Netherlands' Memphis Depay collide as they compete for the ball. AP Photo
  • Norway's Alexander Sorloth in action with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk. AP Photo
    Norway's Alexander Sorloth in action with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk. AP Photo
  • Steven Bergwijn of Netherlands and Birger Solberg Meling of Norway in action. EPA
    Steven Bergwijn of Netherlands and Birger Solberg Meling of Norway in action. EPA
  • Netherlands' forward Steven Bergwijn celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal against Norway. AFP
    Netherlands' forward Steven Bergwijn celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal against Norway. AFP
  • Steven Bergwijn of Netherlands, Mohamed Amine Elyounoussi of Norway, Birger Solberg Meling of Norway in action. EPA
    Steven Bergwijn of Netherlands, Mohamed Amine Elyounoussi of Norway, Birger Solberg Meling of Norway in action. EPA
  • Netherlands' forward Steven Bergwijn celebrates scoring. AFP
    Netherlands' forward Steven Bergwijn celebrates scoring. AFP
  • Netherlands' Steven Bergwijn scores his team's first goal. AP Photo
    Netherlands' Steven Bergwijn scores his team's first goal. AP Photo
  • Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands. EPA
    Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands. EPA
  • Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands and Moeten Thorsby of Norway in action. EPA
    Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands and Moeten Thorsby of Norway in action. EPA

Bergwijn and Depay goals against Norway book Netherlands' ticket to Qatar


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Two goals in the final seven minutes from Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay condemned Norway to defeat on Tuesday and saw the Netherlands punch their ticket to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Tottenham forward Bergwijn drilled the ball into the roof of the net following an assist by Arnaut Danjuma after a lacklustre 83 minutes that saw both sides struggle to create chances.

Bergwijn again played a key role in the Dutch's second goal a few minutes later, after a counter-attack saw him run almost the length of the field before passing the ball to Depay, with he Barcelona striker calmly slotting past Orjan Nyland.

The Oranje only needed a point against Norway to top Group G but made sure of it with the victory in Rotterdam. Defeat for the visitors allowed Turkey to pip them to second spot and a place in next March's play-offs.

"They stuck to the game plan, they were a lot more compact," Dutch coach Louis van Gaal told the NOS public broadcaster.

Van Gaal admitted he was "worried that things could go wrong", especially after the his side's shocking 2-2 draw against Montenegro over the weekend when they let a two-goal lead slip in the final 10 minutes.

"But this evening we kept the match under control," he added.

Stale Solbakken's men clearly missed the presence of star striker Erling Haaland, sidelined because of injury.

Norway never troubled Jasper Cillessen and the closest they came was a desperate shot into the stands in the 88th minute.

Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk praised his team, saying: "It was a solid win, we almost gave nothing away."

Depay, who finished the qualifying campaign with 12 goals, said it was "an emotional game".

"We played with everything we had today and we are going to Qatar," he said.

Updated: November 17, 2021, 4:50 AM