The Netherlands moved to the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after securing a 1-1 draw against Poland in Warsaw on Friday. The result maintains the Dutch team’s three-point advantage at the top of Group G with one match remaining.
Memphis Depay’s second-half equaliser cancelled out Jakub Kamiński’s first-half opener for Poland. The draw leaves the Netherlands needing only a point from their final home game against Lithuania to secure automatic qualification.
Poland began aggressively, recognizing their need for victory to maintain realistic hopes of winning the group. The hosts nearly took an early lead when Matty Cash found Nicola Zalewski with an open goal, but the midfielder missed from close range. The Netherlands gradually established control of possession but struggled to create clear chances against Poland’s organised defence. The first half appeared headed for a stalemate until Poland’s breakthrough just before halftime.
Robert Lewandowski delivered a superb pass from the centre circle that sent Jakub Kamiński through on goal in the 43rd minute. The striker finished calmly past Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to give Poland a deserved halftime lead. The Netherlands responded immediately after the break. Cody Gakpo’s looping cross in the 47th minute eluded Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, leading to a scramble where Depay converted the rebound after Grabara saved Donyell Malen’s initial header.
The Netherlands only need a point at home to Lithuania on Tuesday to reach the World Cup 🇳🇱
Memphis Depay scored their equalizer in a 1-1 draw in Poland pic.twitter.com/AKR2MnJZaE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 14, 2025Statistical Significance and Qualification Scenarios
The Netherlands now sit on 17 points, three clear of Poland’s 14. With bottom-placed Lithuania visiting Amsterdam on Monday, the Dutch require only a draw to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Poland’s path to winning the group requires an unlikely combination of results. They must achieve a substantial victory away to Malta while hoping the Netherlands lose at home to Lithuania. The mathematics heavily favours the Dutch for automatic qualification.
Depay’s goal marked his eighth in the current qualifying campaign and his 55th in 107 international appearances. The forward continues to enhance his status as the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk equalled Frank de Boer’s record by making his 71st appearance as national team skipper. The defender acknowledged the challenging nature of the contest against Poland’s defensive organisation.
