Netherlands defeat Serbia 2–1 in Eindhoven to take top spot in Nations League group

Second-half strike secures Dutch victory

The Netherlands defeated Serbia 2–1 at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven on Sunday, 4 October 2026, to conclude the international window at the top of UEFA Nations League Group A2. The Dutch opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Teun Koopmeiners converted a curled free kick from the right flank after Crysencio Summerville was brought down at the edge of the penalty box. Serbia equalised in the 34th minute through Anderlecht forward Mihajlo Cvetkovic, who scored with a close-range header following an unchallenged cross from left-back Aleksa Terzic. In the 71st minute, half-time substitute Joshua Zirkzee tapped in the match-winning goal after a sequence connecting Gjivai Zechiël, Denzel Dumfries, and Tijjani Reijnders across the penalty area. The result gave head coach Xavi his second 2–1 win against Serbia in seven days following their previous encounter in Belgrade.

Late Serbian pressure and defensive stand

Serbia threatened in the second half with four goal attempts to the hosts' three, including an early chance from Cvetkovic that drifted wide. Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen preserved the lead in the final minutes by parrying a long-range strike directed toward the top corner by Serbian midfielder Nemanja Gudelj. On the touchline, Serbian manager Veljko Paunovic received a yellow card from referee Donatas Rumsas for disputing refereeing decisions, throwing his tracksuit jacket onto the ground in front of the Eindhoven crowd. The Netherlands completed the match with ten men after defender Micky van de Ven suffered an arm injury during five minutes of added time. Because all five substitutions had already been made, the remaining Dutch outfield players defended through stoppage time to secure the win.

Group A2 standings and campaign progress

The victory moves the Netherlands to eight points from four fixtures, placing them at the top of Group A2 ahead of their remaining matches in November. Greece also holds eight points after drawing 0–0 with Germany in Athens, but the Dutch team leads on total goals scored after finishing level on points, goal difference, and head-to-head results. Germany sits in third place on five points under manager Jurgen Klopp, while Serbia remains in fourth place with zero points after four consecutive losses. Under Xavi's management, the Dutch squad previously drew with Germany and Greece before winning back-to-back matches against Veljko Paunovic's team. The Netherlands will conclude group play in November with an away match in Germany and a home fixture against Greece.

Milestones and wider Nations League action

Captain Virgil van Dijk made his 100th international appearance for the Netherlands, becoming the eleventh player in national team history to reach that milestone. Koopmeiners featured in central defence alongside Van Dijk for the first time internationally, while Ruben van Bommel came on in the 58th minute at his club home ground. The goal scored by Cvetkovic extended the Netherlands' streak without a clean sheet to twelve consecutive matches across all competitions. Elsewhere in Sunday's Nations League fixtures, Portugal beat Norway 2–1 through a late Goncalo Ramos goal after Kristoffer Ajer and Joao Cancelo scored in the first half, while Denmark defeated Wales 1–0 following a Rasmus Hojlund penalty.