Robin van Persie scored a hat trick Friday to become the all-time Dutch top scorer as the Netherlands thrashed Hungary 8-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
The Netherlands had already qualified for next year's finals, and Hungary's hopes of consolidating second place in Group D were erased by a vintage Dutch performance.
With Romania beating Andorra 4-0 and Turkey downing Estonia 2-0, second place in the group is still up for grabs with one round to go.
Van Persie scored two first-half headers and tapped in his third in the 53rd to bring his tally to 41 goals in 80 internationals. Goals from Jeremain Lens, Kevin Strootman, Rafael van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and a Szilard Devecseri own goal completed the Netherlands's scoring. Balazs Dzsudzsak netted a penalty for Hungary.
