No more than a “quarterfinal country” | “His lack of commitment at this level is bizarre to say the least”

In both halves, a quarter of good football. Nothing more and nothing less. The Netherlands team has qualified as group winner for the round of sixteen of the World Cup, but sparkling football throughout the match, under Ronald Koeman with Oranje, is not there.

The Netherlands national team closes the group stage at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in any case with group victory and ten scored goals. Good figures, but there is also a lot that leaves something to be desired about this Netherlands team. Four goals conceded—two from corner kicks—while Van Dijk, Van Hecke, and for example also the powerful header specialist Dumfries are part of the defense.

Orange started briskly but not right away with flashy play. Through an own goal by Tunisian defender Ellyes Skhiri and the third goal of this World Cup by Brian Brobbey, Orange quickly went 0-2 up in the Arrowhead Stadium. After the break, Hazem Mastouri headed home 1-2 from a corner, the second goal conceded from a corner this tournament. Jan Paul van Hecke, however, restored the two-goal difference with two goals.

Thanks to the win in Tunisia, Oranje goes through with seven points as number one, and that is to be praised. However, certain matters could best be brought to the attention of the ever quick-to-be-satisfied Ronald Koeman. Because what is the function of Virgil van Dijk, really, other than that as captain and figurehead of Oranje he may lead the tournament for the Netherlands again.

In the early phase, Tunisia had two big chances via Ismael Gharbi and Anis Slimane. Where was Van Dijk? The equalizing goal for the African nation? Central defender Van Dijk, heavily involved with the ball as a suitable six from midfield, was positioned as a central defender at the edge of the five-meter area and saw the 2-1 get headed in. Van Dijk should have blocked centrally in his five-meter area but failed.

'It has to be better', said Van Dijk after the 3-1 victory over the own goal for Tunisia. 'I was blocked again', said the captain after the final whistle of the 3-1 victory. In terms of content, the captain always says very little after international matches, except that next time it must be better. This is Van Dijk in 2026, as he really is. The complacency and casualness of the captain, in words and in gesture, can now be called open to debate, despite winning the group and the seven points after three matches.

His lack of commitment at this level is, frankly, quite bizarre. Lack of commitment also applies to Memphis Depay, of course, because the former PSV player once again—and for the second time—went off and again lost possession against Tunisia. The striker for Corinthians once again failed to get a single ball right during his substitute appearance, and so it also holds for Memphis that his lack of commitment at this level is sometimes downright bizarre. The conclusion that the Netherlands can only be described as a “quarter-final country” is therefore justified. 

That of course does not mean that the Netherlands cannot go further than the quarterfinals, but the true top teams are normally a notch too big for this Dutch national team, where too many players often show a certain casualness. More later.