The Netherlands lost their crucial World Cup qualifier against France 4-0 on Thursday evening, virtually ending their chances of making the 2018 event in Russia.

Oranje, who came third at the previous World Cup, have now sunk to fourth place in Group A with 10 points from seven games. France tops the list with 16 points, Sweden has 13 and Bulgaria 12.

However, Bulgaria’s 3-2 win over Sweden in Group A on Thursday night keeps the Dutch hopes just alive, if they manage to win the final three matches against Bulgaria, Belarus and Sweden.

The Dutch newspapers were damning of Oranje’s performance under coach Dick Advocaat.

The Telegraaf wrote that France had given the Dutch a lesson in modern football. ‘The French, who were not at the top of their game, were physically stronger and technically superior,’ the paper said.

Willem Vissers in the Volkskrant said the current team has ‘no reason to go to the World Cup’.

‘Oranje has had great teams in the past and will have them again but the question is, where are the successors to Robben, Sneijder and Van Persie?,’ he wrote.