Cody Gakpo scored two penalties as the Netherlands moved three points clear in Group G with a comfortable 4-0 win over Malta in their World Cup qualifying clash. Gakpo also set up Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders for the Netherlands' third goal, with Ronald Koeman's side now turning their attention to Finland on Sunday. But the Oranje survived an early scare in the opening minute when Virgil van Dijk's backpass was intercepted by Joseph Mbong, though he was unable to finish from a tight angle.
More than any other veteran player on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Scott Laughton needs this preseason to go well. After being a trade deadline acquisition and then failing to meet the high-end price that the Leafs paid for him, Laughton is ready to put that behind him. And he did exactly that in the first period Thursday night against the Montreal Canadiens.