The Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in their World Cup qualifier, with Matty Cash’s late goal canceling out Denzel Dumfries’ opener. Ronald Koeman criticized his team’s wastefulness in front of goal, while Dumfries remained confident despite the setback. The draw leaves the Netherlands top of Group G, but only on goal difference. The team will visit Lithuania for their next qualifier.
Ronald Koeman expressed his frustration with the Netherlands' profligacy in front of goal after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland, a result that halted their perfect start to World Cup qualifying. The Oranje, buoyed by earlier victories over Finland and Malta, took the lead courtesy of Denzel Dumfries, who headed home from a well-delivered Memphis Depay corner in the 28th minute. Despite controlling much of the game, the Dutch failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Poland to snatch a late equalizer.
Poland struggled to create clear-cut opportunities throughout the match, managing just six shots, with only two testing the Dutch goalkeeper. Their expected goals (xG) tally of 0.39 paled in comparison to the Netherlands' 1.05, highlighting the Dutch side's superior attacking threat. However, against the run of play, Matty Cash unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 80th minute, finding the back of the net and leveling the score. The Aston Villa right-back's stunning strike secured an unlikely draw for the visitors.
The draw leaves Koeman's team at the summit of Group G with seven points. However, their lead is precarious, as Poland and Finland, who have both played one game more, are breathing down their necks, separated only by goal difference.
"The disappointment is overwhelming," Koeman told NOS Sport after the game. "I wasn't calm at all towards the end. We needed that second goal to give us some breathing room."
"We knew they would have one or two moments. This is painful, especially considering how it happened."
Koeman continued, "This is what happens when you don't get that second goal. At times, we could have maintained our positions better and played with more urgency. I felt we were too focused on just seeing out the game."
Remarkably, two of Matty Cash's three international goals have come against the Netherlands at De Kuip. He also scored in a 2-2 draw in Rotterdam during the Nations League in June 2022. This knack for scoring against the Dutch has earned him a reputation as a thorn in their side.
2/3 – Matty Cash scored two of his three international goals for Poland against the Netherlands in De Kuip. Moneyball. pic.twitter.com/t4tc8E5lbu
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) September 4, 2025
Looking ahead, the Netherlands face Lithuania in their next World Cup qualifier on Sunday, followed by matches against Malta and Finland in October. Despite the setback against Poland, confidence remains high within the Dutch camp.
Full-back Denzel Dumfries remains optimistic, stating, "We are still in a very good position, but we would have been in an even better position with a win. We have to analyze this match thoroughly."
"This is frustrating. You could say it's a setback. But we also need to acknowledge the good things we did. We created a lot of chances, especially in the first half."
"We were very dominant. We just need to keep playing like this and not lose heart. We have to be ready again against Lithuania on Sunday."
The Netherlands' starting lineup featured eight Premier League players, with only Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, and Memphis Depay based outside of England. This marked a historic moment for the Oranje, as it was the first time they had ever fielded so many players from the same foreign league in a starting eleven.
The match against Poland served as a stark reminder that even dominant performances can be undone by failing to convert chances. Koeman will be demanding a more clinical edge from his players as they navigate the remainder of their World Cup qualifying campaign. The Netherlands boasts a wealth of talent, particularly in attacking areas, but they must find a way to translate their dominance into goals if they are to secure their place at the World Cup finals.
The upcoming match against Lithuania presents an immediate opportunity for the Netherlands to bounce back and reaffirm their position at the top of Group G. Koeman will be expecting a response from his players, both in terms of performance and result. With a squad brimming with quality and experience, the Oranje have the potential to go far in the World Cup qualifiers, but they must learn from the mistakes made against Poland and develop a ruthless streak in front of goal. The road to the World Cup is paved with challenges, and the Netherlands must be prepared to overcome them if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.