The Netherlands maintain a balanced tactical identity defined by high possession and a measured approach. With Memphis Depay anchoring the attack, the team utilizes a controlled tempo to dictate play while remaining adaptable against varying opponent strengths.

Playing identity · system ↔ individual × direct ↔ possession

Netherlands is plotted from possession share and top-scorer concentration. PPDA and recent form are supporting context when present.

+Recent form8 · 4W 2D 2L

2026-06-30World Cup 2026HNED 1-1 PEN 2-3 MARL

2026-06-29Fifa World Cup 2026HNED 3-4 MARL

2026-06-25World Cup 2026ANED 3-1 TUNW

2026-06-20World Cup 2026HNED 5-1 SWEW

2026-06-14World Cup 2026HNED 2-2 JPND

2025-11-17World Cup 2026 qualifying · UEFAHNED 4-0 LTUxG 3.2-0.5W

2025-11-14World Cup 2026 qualifying · UEFAANED 1-1 POLxG 1.3-1.1D

2025-10-12World Cup 2026 qualifying · UEFAHNED 4-0 FINxG 2.9-0.7W

International friendly matches are excluded

N2 · Scoring

open play 81%

How they score

The Netherlands rely heavily on open play to generate their scoring opportunities. With over 80% of their goals originating from open play, the team demonstrates a clinical edge in active possession. Their efficiency in these situations consistently outperforms the field average, highlighting a cohesive attacking structure.

Goal source · share of play-type-classified goals

80.6%

Open play80.6%Counter4.8%Corner6.5%Free kick8.1%

15% set piececorner + free kick

Effectiveness · conversion by source vs benchmark

Open play22%avg 20%+2 pts

53 goals from 246 shots.

Set piece9.7%avg 4.5%+5 pts

9 goals from 93 shots.

benchmark average higher than field by 3+ pts lower than field by 3+ pts

Goal-source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values; own goals are excluded.

+Top scorers · still a threat?100% intact

100% of listed scorer goals come from players still marked in the squad.

Memphis Depay	in squad	17 · 15%
Cody Gakpo	in squad	13 · 11%
Wout Weghorst	in squad	12 · 10%
Denzel Dumfries	in squad	10 · 9%

N3 · Conceding

open play 67%

How they concede

The Netherlands primarily concede through open play, which accounts for 67% of their classified goals allowed. While open play is the most frequent source, opponents may find higher efficiency targeting their set-piece defense, where the conversion rate significantly exceeds the field average. Maintaining defensive structure during sustained phases of play remains the key challenge for this unit.

Conceded goal source · share of play-type-classified goals

66.7%

14.8%

Open play66.7%Counter3.7%Corner14.8%Free kick14.8%

30% set piece concededcorner + free kick

Effectiveness · conceded conversion by source vs benchmark

Open play11%avg 20%-8 pts

19 conceded from 169 shots faced.

Set piece16%avg 4.5%+12 pts

8 conceded from 49 shots faced.

benchmark average lower than field by 3+ pts higher than field by 3+ pts

Conceded source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values.

N4 · Big moments

beats ranking · +0.68 GD residual

Better than their rating?

The Netherlands consistently outperforms their Elo-based expectations. With a positive goal difference residual of 0.68, the team demonstrates a reliable ability to exceed statistical projections compared to the field median. This performance suggests a tactical identity that frequently maximizes scoring opportunities beyond what their current world ranking implies.

Over-performance DNA · beats-its-rating × reliability, the tournament field

NEDTournament field · 48solid line = rating-neutral · dashed = field-median reliability100 Elo ~= -0.37 goals

+Biggest over- & under-performances53 matches

Residual = actual goal difference minus what the Elo gap predicted.

vs MLT · 2025-06-10	GD +8 vs exp +2.25	+5.75
vs HUN · 2024-11-16	GD +4 vs exp +0.17	+3.83
vs BEL · 2022-06-03	GD +3 vs exp -0.73	+3.73
vs FRA · 2023-03-24	GD -4 vs exp -0.75	-3.25
vs CZE · 2021-06-27	GD -2 vs exp +0.44	-2.44
vs CRO · 2023-06-14	GD -2 vs exp -0.27	-1.73