Mexx Meerdink scored twice on his first Netherlands start as Xavi Hernández claimed his first win as Oranje coach with a 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory away to Serbia at Stadion Rajko Mitić. Luka Jović equalised early in the second half before Meerdink restored the lead, while Cody Gakpo was forced off injured in the first half.
Match facts
- Result: Serbia 1-2 Netherlands (half-time 0-1)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group 2, Matchday 2
- Venue: Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade
- Scorers: Serbia - L. Jović 46'; Netherlands - M. Meerdink 30' (pen), 69'
- Red cards: None
- Attendance: 15,212
- Next: Germany v Serbia, Thursday 1 October (Allianz Arena, Munich); Greece v Netherlands, Thursday 1 October (Toumba, Thessaloniki)
How the match unfolded
Serbia threatened first on the break, Sergej Milinković-Savić firing an angled effort wide, before the Netherlands settled. In the 15th minute Meerdink could not properly connect with a Cody Gakpo cross, and Ryan Gravenberch dragged a shot wide after a long spell of Dutch possession.
There was an early blow for Xavi when Gakpo went down under a heavy challenge from Saša Lukić and had to be replaced by Ruben van Bommel in the 17th minute. The Liverpool forward left with an ankle problem that will need further assessment.
The visitors took the lead on the half-hour. Aleksa Terzić was penalised for pushing Crysencio Summerville in the box, and Meerdink converted the penalty despite Vanja Milinković-Savić diving the right way — his first senior international goal. Near the break, Serbia's goalkeeper needed his full height to tip Joey Veerman's inswinging corner over the bar, and Dumfries was also denied as the Dutch led 1-0 at half-time.
Veljko Paunović introduced Dusan Tadić and Luka Jović at the restart, and the change paid off within a minute. Bart Verbruggen made two saves in quick succession, the Netherlands failed to clear, and Jović finished left-footed from close range for 1-1 in the 46th minute.
Xavi's side then took control. Dumfries found space down the right; Van Bommel's shot clipped the outside of the post, and Tijjani Reijnders headed or turned a better cross over the bar. In the 69th minute substitute Guus Til slipped the ball into Meerdink, who held off his marker and steered a left-footed finish into the far corner for 2-1.
Serbia pushed for a second equaliser. Jović flashed headers narrowly wide, including one from a Tadić corner, while Van Bommel broke clear late but shot tamely at Milinković-Savić. There were no red cards. The Netherlands held on for Xavi's first competitive win after Thursday's 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam.
What it means for Group 2
The result leaves the Netherlands unbeaten after two Matchday fixtures in League A Group 2 and extends a long competitive unbeaten run after 90 minutes. Serbia remain without a win in this group after consecutive defeats. Greece's 1-0 win in Augsburg on Sunday means the Dutch next face the group leaders away, while Serbia travel to Jürgen Klopp's Germany.
What happens next
On Thursday 1 October Germany host Serbia at the Allianz Arena in Munich and Greece face the Netherlands at Toumba in Thessaloniki. Gakpo's ankle will be scanned; any further update will come from the KNVB or Liverpool. Meerdink's brace gives Xavi a clear attacking option as the Nations League campaign continues.