The Netherlands deservedly defeated Belgium for the primary time considering the fact that September 1997 on Friday, sensationally prevailing 4-1 in Brussels of their Nations League opener.
A 25-12 months look ahead to an Oranje victory towards their nearest neighbours became emphatically ended by Louis van Gaal's aspect.
Steven Bergwijn – reportedly set for a move back to the Netherlands with Ajax – set the visitors on their way, earlier than Memphis Depay netted either side of a Denzel Dumfries purpose in an brilliant show.
In their first aggressive healthy of a World Cup 12 months, the Netherlands hinted at a return to shape towards elite combatants, whose large names crumbled as both Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard have been substituted early – Michy Batshuayi's remaining-gasp purpose proving scant consolation.
Careless protecting at both stop contributed to a energetic stumble upon, but Timothy Castagne's early effort in opposition to the perspective of put up and crossbar changed into one of Belgium's few threats in the first half.
The Netherlands soon took manipulate – aided by way of Lukaku's departure with an harm – and Simon Mignolet was finally crushed five mins before half of-time.
Bergwijn arrowed a first-rate finish into the lowest-proper nook from 25 yards, even though an Oranje penalty became struck off earlier than half of-time as a VAR review showed Dumfries' move had struck Castagne's face and not his raised arm.
Depay, who were set to take that spot-kick, had to wait handiest till six mins after the restart for his purpose, charging past the Belgium defence and firing past Mignolet.
A quick Belgium flurry turned into observed by a in addition two Dutch desires, as Mignolet parried Steven Berghuis' roller most effective as some distance as Daley Blind, who squared for Dumfries to score, then the left-returned nodded down a long ball for Depay to manipulate and lash inside the fourth.
