'They won't win 8-0, what a stupid question' insists Advocaat before Sweden win 8-0 to all but end Netherlands' World Cup hopes

The goal difference between the two nations increased to plus-12, meaning the Dutch need to win at least 7-0 on Tuesday to reach the playoffs.

Netherlands manager Dick Advocaat made his unfortunate comments ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Belarus. Vasily Fedosenko . Reuters

Netherlands manager Dick Advocaat was made to regret some flippant remarks after 2018 World Cup qualifying group rivals Sweden thrashed Luxembourg on Saturday.

Before Saturday's matches, Sweden were second in Group A behind France, three points ahead of the Netherlands and with a goal difference advantage of six.

Following the penultimate round of games, Sweden still have a three point gap on the Netherlands but bolstered their goal difference to 12 after an 8-0 win over Luxembourg, while the Dutch were 3-1 winners in Belarus.

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With the Netherlands hosting Sweden in the final round of qualifying on Tuesday, it means Advocaat's side need to win at least 7-0 to claim a place in the playoffs, given Sweden's superior goals scored tally.

Therefore, the Netherlands' chances of reaching Russia have gone from highly unlikely before Saturday to virtually impossible.

To make matters worse, Advocaat was quick to dismiss Sweden's chances of producing the sort of thrashing against Luxembourg that would put the Netherlands all but out of contention.

To add further embarrassment, the ball-park scoreline offered up to Advocaat turned out to be the exact result Sweden produced.

"But what if Sweden win with like 8-0 against Luxembourg?" asked one reporter.

"They won't win 8-0, what a stupid question that is," Advocaat said. "8-0? Well, no I don't believe that."

Of course, Sweden went on to beat Luxembourg 8-0 to book their play-off place, barring a catastrophe against the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Perhaps Advocaat should dismiss his side's chances of a 7-0 win against Sweden and see if it has the same affect.