Joshua Zirkzee scores the 2-1 for Oranje against Serbia in the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven during the UEFA Nations League fixture on October 4, 2026.
Joshua Zirkzee scores the 2-1 for Oranje against Serbia in the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven during the UEFA Nations League fixture on October 4, 2026.
Oranje beat Serbia 2-1 at home in Eindhoven on Sunday, closing Xavi Hernández’s first international window as head coach with another win. It was the second meeting between the teams in eight days; the Netherlands had also won 2-1 in Belgrade on September 27. Teun Koopmeiners and Joshua Zirkzee got the goals in the UEFA Nations League fixture.
Xavi surprisingly deployed Koopmeiners as a nominal central defender alongside Virgil van Dijk. In practice, Koopmeiners frequently moved into midfield.
The match marked a milestone for Virgil van Dijk, who earned his 100th Netherlands cap. He became only the 11th Dutch men's international to reach 100 appearances. He was also captain and wore the armband for the occasion. Before the game, he walked onto the pitch holding the hand of his son, Mase.
Interestingly, Xavi used him in an unusual position: Van Dijk played right centre-back, rather than his usual left-sided role. The last time he had played on the right side of central defense for Oranje was against Scotland in November 2017.
Oranje started strongly, with Tijjani Reijnders threatening within the opening minute and Crysencio Summerville creating danger shortly afterwards. Mexx Meerdink also had an early opportunity but shot over.
The Netherlands took the lead from a free kick. Koopmeiners curled the ball in from the right side, with the delivery evading everyone, including goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić, and finding the far corner.
Serbia equalized just four minutes later. Dušan Tadić found Aleksa Terzić, whose cross was headed home by 19-year-old Mihajlo Cvetkovic, the Anderlecht striker. The goal continued a worrying defensive trend: the Netherlands had now conceded in 12 consecutive internationals.
Serbia almost went ahead before half-time when Strahinja Pavlovic got behind the Dutch defense, but his attempt went wide.
Xavi introduced Joshua Zirkzee at half-time, replacing Meerdink, and the substitute eventually proved decisive. Denzel Dumfries delivered a low cross, Reijnders got to the ball and cleverly redirected it toward the far post, where Zirkzee was completely unmarked and tapped it into an empty net. It was Zirkzee's second goal for Oranje. His first had also come in Eindhoven, against Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2024.
The Netherlands were not completely convincing after taking the lead. Serbia created several opportunities after the break. Cvetkovic got past Koopmeiners but shot wide, while other Serbian attempts threatened Bart Verbruggen.
The biggest late moment came in the 93rd minute, when Nemanja Gudelj unleashed a powerful long-range effort. Verbruggen reacted brilliantly to tip it over the bar.
Oranje also finished the game with 10 men. Micky van de Ven suffered a painful hand injury in the closing stages. He had already had his hand taped, and Luka Jovic subsequently stepped on it during a challenge. Xavi had already used all five substitution opportunities, meaning Xavi could not replace him. Van de Ven therefore remained effectively unable to contribute, and the Netherlands finished the match with 10 men.
Oranje climbed to the top of UEFA Nations League Group A2 as a result of Greece drawing 0-0 with Germany in the other game of the group. The next Nations League matches are in November: the Netherlands host Greece and then travel to Germany.