Dramatic! Joshua Zirkzee's Goal Secures Netherlands' 2-1 Victory Over Serbia
Monday, 5 October 2026 | 09:16
Author: Respaty Gilang
Netherlands National Team secured a 2-1 victory over Serbia on the fourth matchday of the UEFA Nations League at the Philips Stadium, Eindhoven, Monday 5 October 2026.
Joshua Zirkzee was the key figure behind Oranje's win, scoring the decisive goal in the second half. This result keeps the Netherlands on a positive track in the Group A2 competition.
The Netherlands took the lead in the 35th minute through Teun Koopmeiners. The midfielder fired a shot from the right side of Serbia's defence that Goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic failed to properly anticipate.
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Netherlands' lead did not last long. Serbia responded just four minutes later through Mihajlo Cvetkovic.
This goal started from a cross by Aleksa Terzic from the left flank. Positioned close to the goalpost, Cvetkovic met the ball with an accurate header to level the score at 1-1. The ball sailed into the left corner of Bart Verbruggen's goal.
Entering the second half, Serbia played more aggressively as they tried to turn the game around. Cvetkovic even almost scored his second goal after finding space in front of the Netherlands goal, but his final shot went wide.
The Netherlands regained momentum in the 71st minute. Joshua Zirkzee successfully converted a pass from Tijjani Reijnders that was delivered into Serbia's penalty area.
Left completely unmarked with no tight marking, Zirkzee did not waste this opportunity. He applied a simple finish to restore Netherlands' lead to 2-1.
Serbia continued to search for an equalising goal right up until the final minutes of the match. Substitute player Gjivai Zechi had an opportunity in the 85th minute, but his shot still missed the target.
When the final whistle blew, the Netherlands successfully held onto their lead and secured three points at home.
This victory takes Oranje to the top of the Group A2 Standings with a total of eight points. The Netherlands are ahead of second placed Greece on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Serbia had to accept this poor result. They remain at the bottom of Group A2 Standings with zero points collected.
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