- Memphis Depay scored twice against Lithuania to break Robin van Persie’s record.
- He now has 52 goals in 104 games for the Netherlands.
- Lithuania, ranked 143rd, was shocked by scoring two before halftime.
- Depay’s goals kept Ronald Koeman’s side perfect in qualifying.
- His journey includes PSV, Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona, Atlético, and now Corinthians.
Memphis Depay made history in Kaunas by becoming the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer. The 31-year-old striker netted twice against Lithuania, taking his tally to 52 goals and moving past Robin van Persie’s record of 50.
Depay first converted a low cross from Cody Gakpo, drawing level with Van Persie. Minutes later, he powered home a header from Denzel Dumfries, sealing his 52nd goal for the Oranje in just 104 appearances. Van Persie had reached 50 in 102 games between 2005 and 2017.
Ranked 143rd in the world, Lithuania threatened to spoil the night. They battled back from 2-0 down and scored twice before halftime, becoming the lowest-ranked team to do so against the Dutch. However, Depay’s second-half response restored control for Ronald Koeman’s side.
Since his debut against Turkey in 2013, Depay’s career has shown resilience and adaptability. He has played for PSV, Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid before making a surprising switch to Corinthians in Brazil last year. His very first goal for the Oranje came against Australia during the 2014 World Cup, also hosted in Brazil.
The Netherlands now sit top of Group G with 10 points from four matches, while Lithuania remain at the bottom. Depay’s milestone not only secured victory but also highlighted his lasting influence in shaping a new era of Dutch football.
