Tijjani Reijnders scored a first-half hat-trick as the Netherlands beat Greece 7-0 in the UEFA Nations League at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Friday 13 November. Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring, Jurriën Timber added two and Donyell Malen completed the seven.
Match facts
- Result: Netherlands 7-0 Greece (half-time 5-0)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group A2, Matchday 5
- Venue: Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
- Attendance: 51,221 (UEFA)
- Kick-off: 19:45 UK
- Scorers: Netherlands - Summerville 6', Reijnders 12', 18', 33', Timber 40', 59', Malen 62'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Germany v Netherlands, Monday 16 November, 19:45 UK; Greece v Serbia, same time
How the match unfolded
Xavi Hernández's side, who drew 1-1 with Germany in Amsterdam in September and later won 2-1 away to Serbia, were 5-0 up by half-time against Ivan Jovanović's Greece.
The first goal arrived in the sixth minute. According to NOS, Cody Gakpo intercepted a pass and Greece defender Ntinos Mavropanos then played the ball into the path of Summerville, who finished.
Reijnders made it 2-0 in the 12th minute. NOS reported that Joey Veerman slipped a through ball into him, and that the midfielder shot high into the near corner. Six minutes later Reijnders had another: according to the same report, Timber advanced down the left and crossed, Malen helped the ball on, and Reijnders had a simple finish into an empty net.
His hat-trick arrived in the 33rd minute. NOS described Veerman swinging a ball towards the far post, Denzel Dumfries heading it across goal, and Reijnders shooting in. Timber then made it 5-0 in the 40th minute, tapping in after a cut-back from Malen, according to NOS.
The second half was quieter, but the Netherlands still added two more. In the 59th minute Timber scored his second. NOS said Summerville found space in midfield, Malen released Dumfries, and the right-back's cross left Timber with an empty net. Three minutes later Malen made it 7-0, shooting into the far corner from a Dumfries assist, according to the same report.
Frenkie de Jong captained the team, with Bart Verbruggen in goal. Rohit Saggi was the referee. UEFA recorded the attendance as 51,221.
What the result means
UEFA's official standings, after Friday's matches, show the Netherlands top of Group A2 with 11 points from five games. Greece and Germany both have 8 points, with Greece second on the official table, and Serbia remain on 0. The league phase still has one matchday left, and the top two in the group reach the quarter-finals.
What happens next?
The Netherlands travel to face Germany in the final group game on Monday 16 November, kick-off 19:45 UK. Greece host Serbia at the same time.
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