Pro Sports

Netherlands beats Latvia 1-0 in World Cup qualifying Group G

Posted October 08, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Netherlands' Davy Klaassen celebrates a goal during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Latvia and the Netherlands at the Daugava stadium in Riga, Latvia, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Roman Koksarov) The Associated Press

RIGA, Latvia (AP) - Davy Klaassen scored the only goal as the Netherlands beat Latvia 1-0 to solidify its position at the top of Europe Group G in World Cup qualifying as Turkey and Norway played out a 1-1 in Istanbul.

Midfielder Klaassen scored his eighth international goal in the 19th minute, easing into space and volleying home a corner from the right by Memphis Depay.

A minute later, Klaassen was in action at the other end, blocking a shot by Roberts UldriÄ·is after a quick break by Latvia.

'œWe should have been better. But three points are very important for qualification,'ť captain Virgil van Dijk told Dutch broadcaster NOS.

The results left the Netherlands two points ahead of second-placed Norway.

The hosts were largely content to defend against a Dutch team that had scored 22 goals in six matches going into the qualifier in Riga. The Netherlands pushed forward throughout the match but after Klaassen's strike could not find a way through the Latvian defense.

Substitutes Noa Lang and Ryan Granvenberch had shots blocked in the second half and Depay curled a shot wide as the Dutch attack failed to fire.

Latvia pushed players forward in the closing minutes and substitute Igors Tarasovs almost snatched a point for the home team in second-half stoppage time, but Justin Bijlow made a good save.

Second-placed Norway, playing without injured striker Erling Haaland, went a goal down to Turkey thanks to a sixth-minute strike by Kerem AktÃ¼rkoÄŸlu in Istanbul before Kristian Thorstvedt levelled in the 41st.

Montenegro beat Gibraltar 3-0 in the day's other Group G match.

The Netherlands takes on Gibraltar on Monday in Rotterdam, while Norway hosts Montenegro, and Turkey plays Latvia in Riga.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Netherlands' Memphis Depay during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Latvia and the Netherlands at the Daugava stadium in Riga, Latvia, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Roman Koksarov) The Associated Press

Latvia's Raivis Jurkovskis, right, fights for the ball with Netherlands' Cody Gakpo, left, during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Latvia and the Netherlands at the Daugava stadium in Riga, Latvia, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Roman Koksarov) The Associated Press

Turkey's Kerem Akturkoglu right, celebrates after with a teammate after scoring the opening goal against Norway during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Turkey and Norway at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

Turkey's Ozan Tufan , right, is challenged by Norway's Birger Meling during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Turkey and Norway at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

Norway's Kristian Thorstvedt, third right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides first giro against Turkey during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Turkey and Norway at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

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