An unhappy Ronald Koeman changed his team in five places after Thursday's 1-1 draw against Poland. Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Frenkie de Jong (injury), Xavi Simons, and Ryan Gravenberch were replaced by Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten, Donyell Malen, and Quinten Timber.
Oranje's first-ever meeting with Lithuania was promising to be a historical one, with Memphis Depay set to break the all-time Netherlands record. Before Sunday's match, Memphis was tied with Robin van Persie on 50 goals.
After a rather slow start, Memphis Depay converted on the first big chance of the game, acrobatically working the ball behind Edvinas Gertmonas and thus becoming the Netherlands' all-time top scorer with his 51st international goal.
Oranje lacked creativity and offensive firepower after the opening goal, but Ronald Koeman's side doubled the lead in the 33rd minute via Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber, who bagged his first goal for the Netherlands.
However, the Netherlands continued to disappoint and allowed Lithuania, ranked 143 on the FIFA World Ranking, to get back in the game. Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis beat Bart Verbruggen with a powerful effort in the far corner, putting Lithuania on the board in the 36th minute.
A needless foul from Stefan de Vrij gave Lithuania a free kick in the 43rd minute. It led to a sensational goal: defender Edvinas Girdvainis headed in a perfectly delivered cross from Gineitis and surprisingly put Lithuania alongside Oranje.
Disappointing second half
Koeman sent an unchanged side out after halftime, but did not see things improve as the Netherlands kept struggling and saw Lithuania get the first chance of the second half when Artur Dolznikov took Verbruggen under fire.
Not much later, the Netherlands' new all-time top scorer saved his country once again: Memphis Depay headed Oranje in front from a pinpoint Denzel Dumfries delivery in the 64th minute.
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen thought he'd put the final nail in the coffin after profiting from a goalkeeper mistake, but referee Elcin Masiyev blew for a push in the back of the Lithuania defender, who went down with cramp.
Substitute Jurrien Timber proved his value in the final stages of the game with a crucial block, which was all the Netherlands had to offer in the last 15 minutes of a very disappointing outing in Kaunas.
The Netherlands, who meet Malta and Finland in October, beat minnows Lithuania 3-2 and took a three-point lead in group G, where Poland and Finland trail with seven points from four games. Lithuania stay in fourth place with three points from five games.
View all the match statistics on Flashscore.
