The Netherlands delivered at home, defeating Serbia 2-1 at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven on Matchday 4 of Group A2 in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. The Oranje had to come from behind after the Balkan side leveled the match, but ultimately took control in the second half.
ALL GOALS: Netherlands vs Serbia | UEFA Nations League
ALL GOALS: Netherlands vs Serbia | UEFA Nations League
KOOPMEINERS AND ZIRKZEE LEAD THE NETHERLANDS TO VICTORY
Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a free-kick attempt that turned into a cross-shot. The Dutch midfielder looked to send the ball into the box, but his delivery took a path toward goal, beat Vanja Milinković-Savić, and ended up in the net to make it 1-0.
Serbia responded in the 36th minute. Dušan Tadić started the move and combined with Mihajlo Terzić, who delivered a cross toward the penalty spot. There, Mijajlo Cvetković, the 19-year-old Anderlecht striker, connected with the ball and beat Bart Verbruggen to make it 1-1.
The equalizer appeared to set up a difficult finish for the hosts, but Joshua Zirkzee changed the course of the match. In the 71st minute, Tijjani Reijnders created danger down the left and sent a low cross toward the far post. After a superb team passing combination, Zirkzee arrived with the goal virtually unguarded to tap the ball home and seal the 2-1 final score.
SECOND WIN OVER SERBIA AND THREE CRUCIAL POINTS
The victory marks the Netherlands' second win over Serbia in this edition of the UEFA Nations League and keeps the Oranje in contention near the top of Group A2. The team managed by Xavi Hernández showed strong resilience after Serbia's equalizer and found greater attacking depth through its second-half substitutions.
Serbia, meanwhile, failed to add to its points tally once again, further complicating its situation in the group. The Balkan side held its own for much of the match and had chances to take the lead, but the Netherlands ultimately capitalized on its territorial dominance and the impact of its substitutions to claim three points in Eindhoven.
RELIVE THE MATCH HERE IN OUR LIVE BLOG!
Welcome to the Netherlands vs. Serbia LIVE BLOG from Group 2 of League A in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League!
🏟️ The match is underway! ⚽
🇳🇱 The Netherlands host 🇷🇸 Serbia in the Matchday 4 clash of Group A2 in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. The team managed by Xavi Hernández is looking for three points to close the gap on Greece and Germany, while Serbia are aiming to pick up their first points of the tournament.
🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS LINEUP
🧤 Bart Verbruggen;
🛡️ Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Teun Koopmeiners, Micky van de Ven;
⚙️ Ryan Gravenberch, Joey Veerman, Tijjani Reijnders;
⚡ Justin Summerville, Mexx Meerdink and Noa Lang.
🇷🇸 SERBIA LINEUP
🧤 Vanja Milinković-Savić;
🛡️ Stefan Gudelj, Srdjan Babić, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Mihajlo Terzić;
⚙️ Andrija Nedeljković, Saša Lukić, Marko Stanković, Lazar Samardžić;
⚡ Mijajlo Cvetkovic and Dušan Tadić.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
2' 😱 THE NETHERLANDS THREATEN!
The Oranje create the first chance of the match after a team move involving several players inside the box. Following a series of rebounds, the ball falls to Mexx Meerdink, who gets a shot away but sends it over Vanja Milinković-Savić's goal.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
4' 🛡️ Serbia struggling defensively
The visitors are showing some difficulties dealing with the Dutch attacks. The 5-3-2 system implemented by Veljko Paunović has yet to stop the Oranje's attacking moves.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
7' 👤 Stefan Gudelj makes his debut
The Red Star Belgrade player is making his first appearance for the Serbia senior national team. The midfielder is the cousin of former Sevilla player Nemanja Gudelj.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
10' 🇳🇱 The Netherlands dominating the match
As expected, the hosts are controlling possession and keeping Serbia pinned back. The Balkan side are waiting for their chance to launch a counterattack, while the Oranje look for openings around the opposition box.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
12' 🧤 GRAVENBERCH WITH THE SHOT!
Ryan Gravenberch tries his luck from outside the box with a long-range effort. Vanja Milinković-Savić is alert and manages to collect the shot.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
14' 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR GUDELJ!
Stefan Gudelj becomes the first player booked in the match. The Serbia debutant raises his foot too high in a challenge and receives a yellow card from referee Donatas Rumsas.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
17' 🇷🇸 Serbia take control of possession
The Balkan side enjoy their first sustained spell of possession. Lazar Samardžić becomes increasingly influential in midfield as Serbia begin to find space to move forward.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
19' 🎯 NOA LANG THREATENS!
The Napoli attacker receives the ball on the edge of the box and tries a shot despite pressure from Stefan Gudelj. His effort goes wide and hits the side netting of the Serbian goal.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
22' 🇳🇱 The Netherlands dominate but fail to capitalize
The Oranje continue to control possession and look for openings in the final third. Noa Lang and Justin Summerville are trying to create danger, although the Serbian defense remains solid and the hosts lack precision in the final meters.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
25' 😱 SERBIA HAD A HUGE CHANCE!
Dušan Tadić and Mijajlo Cvetkovic combine inside the box with a one-two. The 19-year-old striker finds himself in an excellent position, virtually from the penalty spot, but his shot goes wide. It is the clearest chance of the match so far.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
28' 🎯 The Netherlands fail to threaten from set pieces
The Dutch side try to take advantage of their set-piece opportunities, but their corners fail to produce clear chances in front of the Serbian goal.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
30' 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR PAVLOVIC!
Aleksandar Pavlovic receives Serbia's second yellow card after bringing down Noa Lang near the edge of the Dutch penalty area.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 0-0 Serbia
33' ⚽🇳🇱 GOAL FOR THE NETHERLANDS, TEUN KOOPMEINERS!
The Dutch midfielder puts the hosts ahead with a spectacular free-kick from the flank. Koopmeiners delivers a cross-shot that heads toward goal without anyone getting a touch, eventually finding the back of Vanja Milinković-Savić's net.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-0 Serbia
36' ⚽🇷🇸 GOAL FOR SERBIA, MIJAJLO CVETKOVIC!
The 19-year-old Anderlecht striker from Belgium levels the score. Dušan Tadić starts the move and combines with Terzić, who sends a cross toward the penalty spot. Cvetkovic arrives in the heart of the box and connects with the ball to beat Bart Verbruggen.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
38' 📊 The Netherlands concede again
Following Serbia's goal, the Dutch national team extends its negative run and has now conceded at least once in 12 consecutive matches.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
40' 🇳🇱 VAN DIJK ALMOST SCORES!
A loose ball drops near the edge of the box and Virgil van Dijk attempts a spectacular volley. The shot was heading toward goal but ends up striking a Serbian player.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
41' 🇷🇸 TADIĆ TRIES FROM DISTANCE!
Dušan Tadić tries to surprise Bart Verbruggen with a long-range effort. The ball is heading toward goal, but the Dutch goalkeeper remains alert and deals with the danger.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
43' 🇳🇱 MEERDINK HAD IT!
Ryan Gravenberch plays an excellent through ball that sends Mexx Meerdink one-on-one with Vanja Milinković-Savić. The Dutch striker tries to control the ball as he moves forward, but it bounces off his heel and he wastes a great opportunity.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
44' 🇷🇸 SERBIA CLOSE!
Aleksandar Pavlovic receives a good ball behind the Dutch defense and finds himself in position to shoot. However, the Serbian player fails to make proper contact and the chance goes begging.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
45' ⏱️ One minute added
Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas determines that one additional minute will be played before halftime.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
45+1' 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR REIJNDERS!
Tijjani Reijnders receives the Netherlands' first yellow card after committing a foul by stepping on a Serbian player's foot.
⚽ Score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
⏱️ HALF-TIME! 🏁
🇳🇱 The Netherlands and 🇷🇸 Serbia head into the locker rooms level at 1-1 after a first half that produced more goals than actual quality play. The Dutch dominated possession, but Serbia created the more dangerous chances on the counterattack.
⚽ Half-time score: 1H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
46' 🏁 SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!
The ball is rolling again at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. The Netherlands and Serbia return to the pitch with the score tied at 1-1.
🇳🇱 The Oranje look to make the most of their possession dominance and regain the lead, while 🇷🇸 Serbia continue to rely on counterattacks and the pace of Mijajlo Cvetkovic.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
46' 🔄🇳🇱 FIRST CHANGE FOR THE NETHERLANDS!
Xavi Hernández makes a substitution at the start of the second half. Joshua Zirkzee comes on for Mexx Meerdink.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
47' 😱 WHAT A PLAY BY CVETKOVIC!
Mijajlo Cvetkovic once again shows his danger. The young striker cuts inside the box, sends Teun Koopmeiners to the ground and finds himself one-on-one with Bart Verbruggen. However, his shot goes well wide.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
49' 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR LUKIC!
Saša Lukić is booked for protesting. The card also has consequences for the next match, as the Serbian midfielder will miss the following game through an accumulation of yellow cards.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
50' 🧤 KOOPMEINERS ALMOST SCORES AGAIN!
Teun Koopmeiners strikes a powerful free-kick from the edge of the box. The ball hits the wall and slowly heads toward goal, but Vanja Milinković-Savić reacts in time to make the save.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
53' 🇳🇱 The Netherlands remain in control
The Oranje continue to keep possession and try to impose their style of play, but the script remains much the same as in the first half: plenty of Dutch passing, but few truly dangerous chances.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
55' 🎯 SAMARDŽIĆ TRIES HIS LUCK!
Lazar Samardžić once again creates danger for Serbia with a shot from outside the box. The effort, however, fails to find Bart Verbruggen's goal.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
57' 🧤 VERBRUGGEN SAVES THE NETHERLANDS!
Lazar Samardžić tries from outside the box again and this time finds the target. Bart Verbruggen stretches to prevent Serbia from taking a 2-1 lead and, after the rebound, Denzel Dumfries arrives to prevent Dušan Tadić from getting a shot away.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
58' 🚀 REIJNDERS FIRES OVER!
The Netherlands' best chance of the match so far! Joey Veerman plays a through ball that finds Tijjani Reijnders behind the defense. The midfielder takes on Milinković-Savić and shoots from the edge of the box, but sends the ball over the crossbar.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
60' 🔄🇳🇱 THREE CHANGES FOR THE NETHERLANDS!
Xavi Hernández makes another triple substitution. Jorrel Hato, Kees Smit Zechiël and Ruben van Bommel come on, while Joey Veerman, Noa Lang and Ryan Gravenberch make way.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
61' 🧤 CVETKOVIC AGAIN!
Mijajlo Cvetkovic tries his luck again from the edge of the box with a powerful shot that is heading toward goal. Bart Verbruggen has to make an excellent save, getting a hand to the ball to deny Serbia a second goal.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
63' 😱 HUGE CHANCE FOR THE NETHERLANDS!
Joshua Zirkzee, already inside the box, receives the ball and lays it off for Justin Summerville. The attacker cuts inside and finds Tijjani Reijnders, but the Al-Qadsiah player cannot get his shot away quickly enough and a Serbian defender closes him down.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
66' 🇳🇱 BETTER FROM THE NETHERLANDS!
The changes made by Xavi Hernández are beginning to have an impact. The Oranje look much more dangerous and are finding greater freedom in the final third.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
67' 🔄🇷🇸 Serbia make changes
Nemanja Maksimović and Luka Jović come onto the pitch as the Balkan side look to inject fresh energy into the final stages of the match.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
68' 🔄🇷🇸 TWO CHANGES FOR SERBIA!
Veljko Paunović makes his first substitutions. Nemanja Maksimović and Luka Jović, two players with LaLiga experience, come on. Marko Stanković and Dušan Tadić make way.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 1-1 Serbia
72' ⚽🇳🇱 GOOOOOOL FOR THE NETHERLANDS, JOSHUA ZIRKZEE!
The Oranje regain the lead! Following a superb attacking combination, Joshua Zirkzee, who came on at halftime, arrives at the far post to tap the ball home and put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 2-1 Serbia
73' 😱🇳🇱 THE NETHERLANDS ALMOST SCORE A THIRD!
The Oranje could have sealed the match immediately! Tijjani Reijnders once again finds himself in a dangerous position and gets a shot away that forces Vanja Milinković-Savić into a save to prevent the Netherlands from scoring a third.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 2-1 Serbia
82' 🔄🇳🇱 CHANGE FOR THE NETHERLANDS
Quinten Timber comes onto the pitch to strengthen the Dutch side in the final stages of the match.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 2-1 Serbia
89' 🧤 VERBRUGGEN SAVES THE NETHERLANDS!
Nemanja Maksimović unleashes a powerful shot and Bart Verbruggen responds with a superb save to deny Serbia an equalizer. The visitors are pressing hard in the final minutes.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 2-1 Serbia
90' ⏱️ THE NETHERLANDS MISS A CHANCE TO MAKE IT 3-1!
The Oranje find space on the counterattack and have a great opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, but the Dutch effort ends up in the hands of Vanja Milinković-Savić.
⚽ Score: 2H: Netherlands 2-1 Serbia
90+4' 🏁 FULL-TIME!
It's all over at the Philips Stadion! The Netherlands defeat Serbia 2-1 to claim three important points in the Nations League.
Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring in the first half, Mijajlo Cvetkovic equalized for Serbia and Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to score the decisive goal and give Xavi Hernández's side the victory.
🏆 Final score: Netherlands 2-1 Serbia
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