The Netherlands team led by Xavi Hernández has made a statement in the Nations League after defeating Greece 7-0 in emphatic fashion at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. This Friday, the Dutch side put on an attacking display in the fifth matchday of the group stage, scoring five goals before halftime and showing superiority that left an opponent with no answer, with the rival arriving unbeaten. The main protagonist was Tijjani Reijnders, scorer of a hat-trick in the first half, although Jurriën Timber also stood out, with two goals, along with Crysencio Summerville and Donyell Malen.
The result places the Netherlands as Group A2 leader of the Nations League, with 11 points, three more than Greece and Germany, both on eight. Xavi’s men will face this Monday, 16 November, their final group-stage match against the German national team, coached by Jürgen Klopp, with the possibility of securing first place and qualification for the quarterfinals. A draw will be enough to finish at the top, while a defeat would require them to be aware of tie-break criteria and the result between Greece and Serbia.
Five goals in 40 minutes and Reijnders’ hat-trick
The match was practically settled during a first half in which the Netherlands recovered their best version of offensive football. Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring in the 6th minute, after taking advantage of an error by the Greek defense to regain the ball and beat goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. The goal was the start of a sequence of attacks that overwhelmed the team coached by Ivan Jovanovic.
Just six minutes later, Tijjani Reijnders made it 2-0 after an assist from Joey Veerman. The midfielder extended his personal tally in the 18th minute, taking advantage of a pass from Donyell Malen, and completed his 'hat-trick' in the 33rd minute after another offensive action by the Dutch, this time with Denzel Dumfries as the assister.
Greece, which had shown great defensive solidity during the previous four matchdays, was unable to stop the arrivals of the home team. The advanced pressure, the quick circulation of the ball, and the mobility of the attackers caused constant mismatches in the visiting defense. Jurriën Timber made it 5-0 in the 40th minute, culminating a move by Malen and leaving the match practically resolved before the teams went in for halftime.
The first half was also marked by the return of Frenkie de Jong to the starting XI of the Netherlands. The FC Barcelona midfielder, who served as captain in the absence due to injury of Virgil van Dijk, took on an important role in organizing the game and in the build-up play. His presence allowed Xavi’s team to control the pace of the match and connect with ease with the attacking players.
Netherlands completes the rout and records a historic result
Far from limiting themselves to preserving the advantage, the Netherlands national team maintained its offensive vocation during the second half. Timber scored his second goal in the 59th minute, after another attack down the right flank, and Donyell Malen sealed the rout just a few minutes later with the match’s seventh goal, again after an assist from Dumfries.
The 7-0 represents one of the biggest victories in the history of the Netherlands and allows them to equal the widest rout recorded in the Nations League, according to UEFA data. The result takes on special significance because of Greece’s run, which had arrived in Amsterdam without knowing defeat in this edition and after having added four points in their previous matches against Germany.
The display also reinforces the stage of Xavi Hernández as Netherlands national team coach, with a proposal based on possession, high pressure, and the constant search for space. The former Barcelona coach has managed to ensure that the 'Oranje' reach the final matchday unbeaten and with options to finish first in the group.
After the match, Xavi was satisfied with the performance of his players, especially during the first 45 minutes. "The first half was incredible", the coach said, who congratulated his players for their performance and highlighted the work done during training. However, he also warned that the team must maintain the standard in the upcoming fixtures.
"This is the way", the Spanish coach noted, recalling that there is still room for improvement and that the clash against Germany will represent a different test.
Germany beats Serbia and prepares a decisive duel against Xavi
The next fixture for the Netherlands will be against a Germany that also arrives boosted after defeating Serbia 1-3 in Belgrade. Jürgen Klopp’s team secured their second victory in this edition of the competition thanks to an own goal by Srdjan Babic and the goals by Florian Wirtz and Brajan Gruda.
The German selection set the match on track during the first 15 minutes, when it went ahead by two goals. Gruda extended the margin at the start of the second half, while Babic reduced the deficit shortly afterwards. Serbia finished the encounter with nine players after the send-offs of Vanja Dragojevic and Andrija Zivkovic.
With this result, Germany reaches eight points and ties Greece in second place, although it continues to be three points behind the Netherlands team. The final matchday will be decisive in determining which two selections secure the available places for the Nations League quarterfinals.
The clash between Germany and the Netherlands will be played on Monday, 16 November in Berlin, in a match that will pit two coaches with recognizable offensive proposals against each other: Jürgen Klopp and Xavi Hernández. The Dutch arrive with the advantage of depending on themselves to keep the lead, while Germany needs to pick up points to secure its place in the next round.
For Xavi, the match will also represent a new opportunity to gauge the progress of his project against one of the great rivals in European football. The thrashing of Greece has strengthened the Netherlands’ bid for the quarterfinals, but it will be the match against Germany that determines its final position in the group.