Tijjani Reijnders delivered a brilliant first-half hat-trick to lead the Netherlands to a dominant 7-0 victory against Greece in Friday’s Nations League action. In the other Group A2 fixture, Germany secured a crucial 3-1 win away against Serbia, keeping the pressure on at the top of the table. But the Dutch destroyed the visitors in a devastating display of attacking prowess, greece and the Netherlands both came into the game unbeaten.
The Dutch offense was relentless, establishing a commanding 5-0 lead before the interval.
Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring in the sixth minute after capitalizing on a defensive error by Konstantinos Mavropanos. Reijnders then took control, firing into the top corner in the 12th minute from a Joey Veerman assist, before doubling his personal tally six minutes later off a Donyell Malen pass. He completed his hat-trick with a close-range finish following a header from Denzel Dumfries. And Malen got his well-deserved goal following some neat skill and a lay-off from Dumfries, timber’s second came after Dumfries’ cross was pushed away by the keeper. Drove forward largely unopposed and drilled a low shot into the far corner from outside the area, gruda collected Joshua Kimmich’s pass inside his own half.
Jurrien Timber added to the tally twice, finding the net before half-time and again shortly before the hour mark. Donyell Malen wrapped up the scoring for the hosts, who remain at the top of the group standings with 11 points. And Germany moved level on eight points with Greece to leave the three sides battling it out for two quarterfinal places on Monday, the Netherlands are top of the standings on 11 points.
Germany, playing under heavy rain in Belgrade, also produced a strong first-half display. They claimed an early lead in the third minute via an own goal from Srdan Babic, forced by a Kai Havertz header. Florian Wirtz extended the advantage 11 minutes later, converting a rebound after a Havertz attempt was parried by Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. Brajan Gruda marked his debut with a brilliant solo goal shortly after the break to put the result beyond doubt.
Although Srdan Babic scored for Serbia, the hosts struggled discipline-wise, finishing the match with nine men following late red cards for Vanja Dragojevic and substitute Andrija Zivkovic. Manager Jurgen Klopp, who has utilized an experimental 44-man roster, saw his side move level on eight points with Greece, setting up a high-stakes clash on Monday. Winning just one of his opening four games, also against Serbia, jurgen Klopp had a difficult start to life as Germany’s manager.
The upcoming final group fixtures will be decisive, as Germany hosts the Netherlands in Berlin, while Greece takes on a Serbian side that has yet to secure a point in the competition.
In other action, Switzerland clinched promotion to League A after playing out a goalless draw against Slovenia in Group B1. Scotland improved their standing with a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia, propelled by a brace from John McGinn. Notably, Scotland captain Andy Robertson reached a milestone by making his 102nd appearance, equalling the national record held by Kenny Dalglish.
Slovakia also celebrated promotion to League B, securing the necessary point in a 2-2 draw at home against the Faroe Islands to top Group C3. Meanwhile, in Group C4, Iceland maintained their dominance with a 5-0 thrashing of Bulgaria, highlighted by a hat-trick from Andri Gudjohnsen.
