Soccer-Gakpo on target again as Dutch beat Qatar 2-0 to top Group A

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group A - Netherlands v Ecuador - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - November 25, 2022 Netherlands' Memphis Depay reacts REUTERS/Carl Recine

AL KHOR, Qatar (Reuters) - Netherlands eased past already eliminated Qatar 2-0 to top Group A and reach the knockout stages on Tuesday after Cody Gakpo netted his third goal in three games, bringing the curtain down on the World Cup hosts with their third straight defeat.

For Qatar, the tournament ended as it started with a loss at the Al Bayt Stadium, and the Gulf state will now have to focus on its role as host as it seeks to plot a future for football in the country after paying billions to stage the World Cup.