Cody Gakpo scores & assists to reach World Cup as Virgil van Dijk breaks record

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Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk both started as the Netherlands beat Lithuania 4-0 to book their place at the World Cup, with a goal, an assist and an all-time record broken. Gakpo and Van Dijk both started in Amsterdam while Ryan Gravenberch was named on the bench – the Liverpool midfielder rested entirely in a boost to his club.

AD‘s Johan Inan rated Van Dijk a seven out of 10, explaining that he “showed why” he was trusted as his country’s all-time most-capped captain. Former Netherlands midfielder Jan Peters gave his ratings for De Telegraaf, with Van Dijk deemed a six out of 10 and Gakpo a 6.5 out of 10.

“Gakpo is important, but he needs to find more variety in his actions,” Peters wrote, in a familiar assessment of Liverpool’s No. That’s the same with Gakpo.” Voetbalzone‘s Rian Rosendaal gave Van Dijk a seven out of 10 and Gakpo an 8.5 out of 10 – as the best player on the night.