Netherlands Women Take Command of World Cup Play-Off with 8-0 Win Over Hungary
The Netherlands women’s national team has put one foot firmly in the next stage of the World Cup play-offs after a commanding 8-0 victory over Hungary in the first leg in Felcsút. Lineth Beerensteyn and Victoria Pelova each scored a hat-trick, while Esmee Brugts and Damaris Egurola added a goal apiece in a performance that underlined the Dutch side’s attacking depth.
Arjan Veurink’s team now return home with an enormous advantage ahead of the second leg in Tilburg. Hungary will need an extraordinary turnaround to keep its qualification hopes alive, while the Netherlands can focus on completing the job and moving closer to next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Netherlands Build a Huge First-Leg Advantage
The Dutch finished second in their qualifying group, meaning they must navigate the play-offs to reach the final tournament. Their route remains unfinished, but the emphatic win in Hungary has put them in an exceptionally strong position. If they progress as expected, the Netherlands will face either Turkey or Slovenia for a place at the World Cup.
That qualification picture gives the second leg added importance, even with an eight-goal cushion. The Netherlands will want to manage the tie professionally, avoid unnecessary risks and maintain the confidence generated by their first-leg display. For Hungary, the challenge is daunting: it must find a way to contain a Dutch attack that repeatedly created space and punished defensive mistakes.
Beerensteyn Opens the Scoring
The Netherlands set the tone early, showing quick movement and confidence in possession. Beerensteyn opened the scoring after Pelova cleverly let the ball run past her, disrupting Hungary’s defensive shape. Beerensteyn took advantage of the opening and finished to give the visitors an early lead.
The forward soon doubled her tally. This time, Lynn Wilms supplied the cross, and Beerensteyn was in the right position to turn the delivery into another goal. The quick second strike left Hungary with an uphill task and gave the Dutch even more freedom to control the match.
Pelova then added her name to the scoresheet in the 26th minute. Her effort took a deflection on its way past the goalkeeper, but the goal reflected the sustained pressure the Netherlands were applying. Hungary struggled to clear its lines, while the Dutch continued to find gaps between the defenders.
Brugts Makes It Four Before Half-Time
The Netherlands did not ease off as the interval approached. Pelova went close again, and Brugts reacted quickest to the rebound, converting from close range to make it 4-0 just before half-time. The timing of the goal dealt another blow to Hungary and gave Veurink’s side a substantial lead to take into the break.
For the Dutch, the first half offered more than a healthy scoreline. The team’s combination play, movement off the ball and willingness to attack through different channels made it difficult for Hungary to settle. The goals also came from several types of situations, including a well-timed run, a cross, a deflected shot and a rebound—evidence of the variety in the Netherlands’ attacking approach.
Egurola and Pelova Extend the Lead
Hungary needed a strong response after the restart, but the Netherlands scored again less than five minutes into the second half. Egurola rose to head home and make it 5-0, further reducing the home side’s chances of mounting a recovery.
Pelova then produced another moment of quality. After using a series of stepovers to create room, the Tottenham Hotspur player finished to claim her second goal of the night and put the Netherlands six ahead. Her ability to carry the ball and unsettle defenders added a different dimension to the Dutch attack, complementing Beerensteyn’s movement and finishing.
Pelova completed her hat-trick later in the match after a Hungarian defender gave the ball away. The midfielder capitalised on the mistake and calmly found the net, taking the score to 7-0. It was a clinical reward for a performance in which she contributed both as a scorer and as a creator of opportunities.
Beerensteyn Completes the 8-0 Rout
There was still time for Beerensteyn to reach three goals of her own. In stoppage time, Lotte Keukelaar struck the crossbar, and Beerensteyn reacted first to tap in the rebound. The late finish completed the 8-0 scoreline and gave the Netherlands two hat-trick scorers in a single match.
Such a result is a major statement in a high-pressure qualification tie. The Netherlands converted its chances efficiently, while Hungary was unable to make the most of the limited opportunities it created. The margin also reflects the difference in attacking sharpness on the night, though the Dutch will still need to approach the return fixture with concentration rather than assuming the tie is over.
Second-Leg Prediction and What Comes Next
The second leg is scheduled for 14 October 2026 in Tilburg. Based on the first-leg performance, the Netherlands are clear favourites to advance. A cautious prediction would be another Dutch victory or a controlled draw, with Veurink likely to prioritise defensive organisation and avoid giving Hungary encouragement early in the match.
Hungary’s most realistic aim will be to show greater resilience and compete more effectively in the return fixture. Even if overturning an eight-goal deficit proves beyond reach, a stronger performance could offer valuable experience and help the team finish the tie with pride.
For the Netherlands, the focus will be on completing qualification before turning attention to the likely next opponent, Turkey or Slovenia. The 8-0 win has brought the World Cup dream within reach, but the play-off path still demands one more disciplined performance. If the Dutch can carry their attacking confidence into Tilburg while staying composed at the back, they should take another significant step toward Brazil.
