Gakpo on target again as Dutch beat Qatar 2-0 to top World Cup Group A

AL KHOR, Qatar: Netherlands eased past already eliminated Qatar 2-0 to top Group A and reach the knockout stages on Tuesday (Nov 29) after Cody Gakpo netted his third goal in three games, bringing the curtain down on the World Cup hosts with their third straight defeat.

For Qatar, the tournament ended as it started with a loss at the Al Bayt Stadium, and the Gulf state will now have to focus on its role as host as it seeks to plot a future for football in the country after paying billions to stage the World Cup.

Despite topping the group it was by no means a classic performance by the Dutch, who finished with seven points from three games and will be joined in the last 16 by Senegal, who knocked out Ecuador by beating them 2-1 to end up second on six.

PSV Eindhoven forward Gakpo proved the difference once again but he was keen to share the spotlight with his team mates.

"We're through, that's what today was all about. I think we were better on the ball than in recent games, we had a little more control," he said.

In truth, the Dutch never had to get out of second gear against the hosts, who had their moments in a dull first half.

With late arrivals filling the stands just after kickoff, the Qataris had a couple of corners and threatened on the edge of the Netherlands area but no sooner had they bared their teeth than they were hit with a gut-punch of a goal by Gakpo.

Davy Klaassen played an inviting ball into the path of the 23-year-old and he received it at pace, slicing through the heart of the defence before dispatching a well-placed shot past Meshaal Barsham to open the scoring in the 26th minute.

Dutch striker Memphis Depay made his first start of the tournament and the pedestrian pace of much of the game suited him as he