Football
By ANP 1 minute ago Modified: 1 minute ago
RTL
The Dutch national team has started the road to the 2026 World Cup quite convincingly. Almost two months after losing the semi-final against England at the European Championship, the team of national coach Ronald Koeman defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League: 5-2. The Dutch team missed the necessary chances and easily gave away the goals against.
In three days, a more serious test awaits the Dutch team, who will then face Germany in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. This is also a Nations League match.
Joshua Zirkzee made his debut as a starter as expected. Now that Memphis Depay is no longer part of the selection (for the time being), the striker position was vacant after the European Championship. Zirkzee, who transferred to Manchester United in the summer, was preferred over Ajax players Wout Weghorst and Brian Brobbey.
In addition to Depay, two other players who were in the starting line-up against England in the semi-final were missing. Matthijs de Ligt replaced Stefan de Vrij in the centre of defence, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Donyell Malen also had to make way. Xavi Simons, an attacking midfielder at the European Championship, moved into Malen’s position as right winger. This freed up a place in midfield for Ryan Gravenberch, who has started the season strongly at Liverpool and was rewarded by Koeman with a starting place.
Zirkzee didn’t need long to score his first goal for the Dutch national team. After a shot by Simons was half-blocked in the thirteenth minute, he headed it backwards (1-0).
The Netherlands made a fresh impression against a weak Bosnia and created enough chances, but failed to extend their lead. Bosnia unexpectedly equalized in the 27th minute. Simons covered forward, leaving Denis Huseinbasic completely free in midfield. His pass, between De Ligt and captain Virgil van Dijk, was completed by Ermedin Demirovic (1-1).
After a good pass from Zirkzee, Tijjani Reijnders ran past several defenders in injury time in the first half, and then finished with his left foot (2-1). Even after the break, the Netherlands had little to fear from Bosnia for a long time. Reijnders enabled Cody Gakpo to score from close range in the 56th minute (3-1).
A big win seemed imminent, but after a mistake by De Ligt, Edin Dzeko made it 3-2. The Dutch team had a hard time for a while, but substitute Wout Weghorst and Simons secured the win (5-2).
