KAUNAS: Memphis Depay set a Netherlands scoring record as his double ensured they survived a scare in beating Lithuania 3-2 away in their World Cup qualifier,

Two goals for the 31-year-old Depay took his national team tally to 52, going ahead of Robin van Persie’s previous record, and putting the Netherlands top of the Group G standings.

Depay had the Dutch ahead in the 11th minute as they looked to put aside the disappointment of Thursday’s 1-1 home draw against Poland in Rotterdam, volleying home from close range as Cody Gakpo pulled back a pass from the byline and being hoisted onto his teammates’ shoulders in celebration.

Midfielder Quinten Timber then got his first international goal as the Dutch doubled the lead in the 33rd minute and look to be cruising to an easy win.

But Lithuania then scored twice in the space of seven minutes to level the score by halftime in a sudden turn around.

First a mazy round from inside his own half by home captain Justas Lasickas drew the Dutch defence and set up Gvidas Gineitis for a 36th-minute strike.

Gineitis then floated a freekick in the 43rd minute for Edvinas Girdvainis to power a header home as he rose easily above Gakpo.

Dutch angst was extinguished in the 64th minute as Depay rose majestically to power home a header from Denzel Dumfries’ cross from the right flank and ensure a valuable three point haul as they seek a place at next year’s finals in North America.

Gakpo hit the woodwork in the 70th minute as the Dutch sought an insurance goal but Lithuania never gave up their quest for an equaliser and it was with much relief that Ronald Koeman’s team greeted the final whistle.

Lithuania (143) were the lowest-ranked side to score a goal against the Dutch since 1992 when FIFA first introduced the world rankings.

Easy for Spain

Mikel Merino’s hat-trick helped Spain to thrash hosts Turkey 6-0 to remain firmly in control of Group E.

The hosts had no answer to Spain’s dominance, undone time and again by the visitors’ speed and finesse, with a helpless Turkish defence torn apart on every counter-attack.

Spain lead the group with six points from two matches, while Turkey and Georgia sit on three points from the same. Georgia beat Bulgaria 3-0 earlier on Sunday.

The visitors struck early as Pedri found the net in the sixth minute, slotting past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Merino doubled Spain’s tally in the 22nd minute, finishing off a slick passing move inside the box with a simple unmarked strike past the Turkish defence.

In first-half stoppage time, Merino struck again, this time latching onto a pull-back and firing home to give Spain a three-goal cushion at the interval.

The onslaught resumed eight minutes into the second half when a Turkish corner backfired, Ferran Torres leading a rapid counter-attack and finishing off a sharp exchange inside the box to make it four.

Brimming with confidence, Merino completed his hat-trick just four minutes later, capping another breakaway with a stunning left-footed curler from distance that flew into the top corner for Spain’s fifth.

Pedri added another one for Spain in the 62nd minute, arriving unmarked at the end of another swift break to slot home his second for the night.

De Bruyne double

Kevin De Bruyne underlined his talismanic role for Belgium with a stunning goal to break the deadlock and set his side on their way to a comfortable 6-0 win over Kazakhstan in their qualifier.

It was threatening to become a frustrating night at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium for the Belgians before the 42nd-minute strike, but after that they were able to go on and register a comfortable victory with both De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku scoring twice.

Belgium have 10 points from four games in Group J, ahead of Wales on goal difference but trailing leaders North Macedonia, who beat Liechtenstein 5-0 earlier on Sunday, by a point. North Macedonia and Wales have played five matches each, however.

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