The negative tradition continues against the Netherlands. Another heavy defeat the eighth one, and with Malta still in search of the first goal against the Netherlands. We had a golden opportunity after two minutes through Joseph Mbong, but from then onwards the Dutch held the upper hand and showed their class to win convincingly.

The Maltese players did their best and kept trying to play positive football, but there was nothing more the locals could do against one of the best teams in Europe. Koeman's boys grabbed the points they needed to stay on top of the group, and Malta will look forward for better luck against different opposition.

The Dutch started like a house on fire taking full control of the game and searching for an early goal. Their high pressing forced the Maltese to kick the ball forward even if the locals managed to keep their shape.

And on the third minute Malta had a glorious chance when Van Dijk's short back pass towards his goalkeeper was intercepted by Joseph Mbong but his shot from an acute angle went wide.

On nine minutes Reijnders had a fierce drive blocked by Bonello and three minutes later the Netherlands took the lead when Gravenberch was floored by Shaw with the referee awarding the penalty even though Weghorst had shot the ball home.

From the penalty spot Gakpo made no mistake even though Bonello was close to saving the ball. Two minutes later the same Gakpo hit the upright with Bonello beaten. On 22 minutes a Van de Ven effort went wide after passing across goal.

Malta had some good moments too and on 35 minutes a Chouaref shot was blocked by Dumfries. Then on 40 minutes the referee awarded Netherlands a second penalty for a Shaw handling infringement but repeats clearly showed that there was no handling of the ball. Luckily after the VAR consultation the decision was reversed.

At the start of the second half Malta conceded yet another penalty when Pepe held Weghorst and from the penalty spot Gakpo again made no mistake this time sending Bonello the wrong way. On53 minutes Bonello saved off Frimpong and on 57 minutes Malta suffered the third goal.

A defensive lapse as Bonello was pressed by four opponents with the ball coming to Reijnders who made no mistake from the edge of the area. Two minutes later a rae effort for Malta with Satariano shooting over the bar.

The Dutch eased the pressure but stil kept searching for more goals with Bonello making the best save on 78 minutes on a Dumfries header. On 93 minutes the Netherlands scored the fourth and final goal when substitute Memphis Depay headed home a Malen cross from the right.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina