The Netherlands return to Tilburg on Tuesday 13 October with an eight-goal advantage over Hungary in their Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying play-off. After a commanding first-leg performance featuring hat-tricks from Victoria Pelova and Lineth Beerensteyn, head coach Arjan Veurink faces an unusual challenge: maintaining his team’s intensity while potentially giving other players an opportunity.
The Dutch are virtually certain to reach the second play-off round, but Veurink has made clear that developing consistency remains a priority.
The Netherlands vs Hungary Women: Match Information
- Competition: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers – Play-off Round 1, second leg
- Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST / 8:45pm CEST
- Venue: Koning Willem II Stadion, Tilburg
- First leg: Hungary 0-8 the Netherlands
- Aggregate score: the Netherlands lead 8-0
How to Watch the Netherlands vs Hungary Women
The match will be broadcast live in the Netherlands on NPO 3, with streaming available through NOS Live and the NOS app.
UK broadcast coverage has not yet been confirmed.
The Netherlands’ Attacking Performance Against Hungary
The Netherlands were dominant from the opening minutes in Hungary, creating repeated opportunities through movement behind the defence and deliveries into the penalty area.
Beerensteyn opened the scoring in the 12th minute following a clever dummy from Pelova and added her second just over two minutes later with a volley. Pelova scored the third before Esmee Brugts made it 4-0 shortly before half-time.
The attacking pressure continued after the interval. Damaris Egurrola headed in the fifth before Pelova completed her first international hat-trick. Beerensteyn secured her own hat-trick with the final goal.
The statistics underline the difference between the teams. The Netherlands recorded 66% possession, 20 shots on target and four efforts against the woodwork. Hungary failed to register a shot on target.
Veurink admitted afterwards that he had not expected the match to be quite so straightforward, describing the result as an ideal scenario.
Why the Dutch Attacking Movement Worked
The most encouraging aspect of the performance was the variety of attacking situations the Netherlands created.
Pelova repeatedly arrived in dangerous positions, combining movement inside the penalty area with an ability to find shooting opportunities. Her three goals came from different situations, including a deflected effort and a mistake in Hungary’s defensive build-up.
Beerensteyn offered a different threat through her runs behind defenders and positioning around goal. Her opening two goals demonstrated how quickly the Netherlands could exploit space once their attacking players moved into the right areas.
Veurink was particularly satisfied with the execution of runs in behind and crosses, alongside the energy and creativity shown by his players.
Those patterns will be worth watching again in Tilburg. Against stronger opponents, the Netherlands may not enjoy as much space, making the timing and accuracy of their attacking movements even more important.
Will Veurink Rotate His Starting XI?
The comfortable aggregate advantage gives Veurink considerable flexibility in his selection.
The Netherlands started the first leg with Lize Kop in goal; Veerle Buurman, Dominique Janssen, Lynn Wilms and Marisa Olislagers in defence; Damaris Egurrola, Victoria Pelova and Daniëlle van de Donk in midfield; and Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn and Wieke Kaptein further forward.
Veurink made five substitutions, introducing Kerstin Casparij, Jill Roord, Ella Peddemors, Lotte Keukelaar and Caitlin Dijkstra. Two players who could attract attention ahead of the return are Sophie Proost and Isa Kardinaal. Both received their first senior squad call-ups but remained unused substitutes in Hungary.
Their potential involvement offers Veurink an opportunity to assess additional options, although neither is guaranteed a debut. The coach has emphasised that consistency should come from the team’s playing style rather than relying on the same eleven starters.
That approach suggests changes are possible without abandoning the attacking principles that worked so effectively in the first leg. Predicted Netherlands XI: To be updated following the latest team news.
Hungary Team News
Hungary started Friday’s match in a 4-3-3 formation but struggled to contain the Netherlands’ attacking movement.
Their defensive organisation will be a priority in Tilburg, particularly after conceding four goals in each half of the opening leg. Further team news and a predicted starting XI will be added ahead of kick-off.
The Netherlands vs Hungary Women Prediction
With an eight-goal lead, the Netherlands can approach Tuesday’s match without significant pressure on the aggregate score. The more meaningful test will be whether they reproduce their attacking patterns and maintain concentration if Veurink makes changes.
Prediction: The Netherlands 4-0 Hungary (12-0 on aggregate).
The winners will face either Türkiye or Slovenia in the second European play-off round. Their first leg ended 3-3, leaving that tie open. For more information, see our Women’s World Cup 2027 qualified teams tracker and UEFA play-off draw explained.
Leave a Reply