Netherlands secured a 2-1 victory over Serbia at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven on Sunday, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the winning goal in the second half of their UEFA Nations League encounter.
Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring for the hosts in the 31st minute with a well-placed free-kick that beat Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.
Serbia responded just four minutes later as Mihajlo Cvetković levelled the contest with a clever header following Aleksa Terzić’s cross from the left.
The Netherlands regained control after the break and eventually restored their lead in the 72nd minute.
Jorrel Hato initiated the move before Gjivai Zechiël and Crysencio Summerville combined to create the opening, with Denzel Dumfries delivering a cross for Zirkzee to finish from close range.
Serbia pushed for another equaliser in the closing stages, introducing Filip Kostić and Andrija Živković as they looked to increase pressure on the Dutch defence with crosses from the flanks.
The Netherlands, however, held firm to claim all three points, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen making important saves to preserve their advantage.
The hosts dominated possession and created more opportunities throughout the encounter, recording 22 shots to Serbia’s 14.
They also completed 541 passes compared with Serbia’s 253.
Koopmeiners was influential for the Netherlands, scoring the opener and helping his side control the midfield, while Dumfries also played a key role in the victory with his contribution to Zirkzee’s decisive goal.
The result gives the Netherlands an important three points in their Nations League campaign, while Serbia will be left to rue missed opportunities after matching the hosts for long periods.
