Netherlands maintained their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying this evening as they smashed eight past Hungary in Amsterdam.

The hosts made the better start and thought they had taken the lead when Arjen Robben had the ball in the net inside three minutes only to be flagged for offside.

Robin van Persie did put the Dutch in front after 16 minutes when he rose highest to meet Daryl Janmaat's cross and beat Bolton Wanderers keeper Adam Bogdan in the Magyars' goal.

Holland continued their positive start and almost doubled their advantage as Rafael van der Vaart exchanged passes with Jeremain Lens but couldn't keep his shot down.

However, they did find a second on 25 minutes as Lens crossed from the left and found Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman who headed back across Bogdan's goal.

The points were wrapped up 38 minutes in as Van der Vaart chipped a hopeful pass centrally only for the Hungarian defence to gift the ball to Lens who made no mistake from close range.

A nightmare first half for the visitors was concluded with Van Persie equalling Patrick Kluivert's Dutch goalscoring record and headed Robben's cross home.

The Magyars did pull a goal back just after the interval thanks to a Balazs Dzsudzsak's penalty, but it was a mere consolation.

With only 53 minutes played Robin van Persie completed his hat-trick and broke Kluivert's record.

Netherlands' sixth goal was a peculiar affair, with Szilard Devecseri heading a Lens cross into his own net when under no pressure.

Hungary's torment continued with Rafael van der Vaart's free kick taking a massive deflection off the wall to beat Bogdan.

In the 90th minute Arjen Robben made it eight with an unstoppable free kick of his own.

The result boosts the Netherlands' prospects of being seeded at next summer's World Cup as they started the evening outside the top eight positions in the World rankings.

Hungary see their hopes of a playoff place diminish sharply as Turkey and Romania both picked up wins to enhance their own chances.

Written by
Chris O'Keefe