Memphis Depay etched his name into Dutch football history by becoming the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer in their World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
The 31-year-old striker struck twice in Kaunas to surpass Robin van Persie’s long-standing record.
Depay, now playing his club football with Corinthians in Brazil, opened the scoring by converting Cody Gakpo’s cross for his 51st international goal, moving level with Van Persie. He then rose to meet a Denzel Dumfries delivery with a thumping header, netting his 52nd in 104 appearances for the Oranje. Van Persie scored 50 in 102 caps between 2005 and 2017.
Lithuania, ranked 143rd in the world, briefly threatened an upset. The hosts fought back from 2-0 down to level the match before half-time, becoming the lowest-ranked side ever to score twice against the Netherlands. But Depay’s decisive contribution after the break ensured Ronald Koeman’s side maintained their perfect start to qualifying.
Depay’s international career has been marked by persistence and adaptability. Since debuting against Turkey in 2013, he has represented PSV, Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid before his surprise move to Corinthians last year. His first Oranje goal came against Australia at the 2014 World Cup, also held in Brazil.
The Netherlands now top Group G with 10 points from four matches, while Lithuania remain rooted to the bottom. For Koeman’s side, Depay’s milestone not only secures a vital win but also underscores his enduring influence in a new generation of Dutch football.
