There was a new face at the centre of the Dutch celebration in Serbia, while Denmark found their response after the break against Wales. Mexx Meerdink, called up only days earlier, delivered the decisive touch for the Netherlands with two goals in a 2-1 Nations League win.
Key takeaways
- Mexx Meerdink scored twice as the Netherlands claimed their first victory under new coach Xavi.
- The AZ Alkmaar forward had been drafted in after Donyell Malen withdrew from the squad.
- Cody Gakpo left the match in the 17th minute with an ankle injury.
- Denmark beat Wales 2-0, with Strasbourg goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen making an important first-half save.
- The Dutch moved onto four points at the top of League A Group 2, while Serbia remained scoreless.
Meerdink takes his chance in Serbia
The Netherlands had opened their League A Group 2 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Germany on Thursday, in Xavi’s first game in charge. Their trip to Serbia brought the new manager a first win, though it required a composed display from a side that created plenty but occasionally looked vulnerable when Serbia broke forward.
Meerdink, the newcomer selected to cover for Malen’s absence, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 30 minutes. The 22-year-old then restored the Dutch lead in the 69th minute, arriving at the end of a flowing team move before drilling a low angled finish across goal.
Serbia had levelled almost immediately after half-time through Luka Jovic, who struck in the 46th minute. Jovic later came close to another equaliser, sending a header narrowly wide in the 78th minute.
The visitors had chances to put the contest beyond Serbia earlier. They struck the post in the 53rd minute, while Ruben van Bommel wasted a three-against-one situation near the end. Van Bommel had entered in the 17th minute after Gakpo sustained an ankle problem.
The result lifted the Netherlands to four points, provisionally first in the group before Germany faced Greece later on Sunday. Serbia sat bottom with no points.
Denmark recover against Wales
Denmark also made their second-half superiority count in League A Group 4, defeating Wales 2-0 in a lively contest.
Gustav Isaksen thought he had produced an outstanding opening goal with a volley in the 24th minute, but the effort was ruled out because of an offside earlier in the move. Denmark then needed Filip Jörgensen, Strasbourg’s goalkeeper, to react sharply and keep out Connor Roberts shortly before the interval.
The breakthrough came eight minutes after the restart. Mikkel Damsgaard’s free-kick was diverted into his own net by Ben Davies, who was under pressure from Rasmus Højlund. Isaksen eventually had his goal in the 66th minute, turning in after another set-piece had caused trouble.
Denmark’s first points of the group stage took them level on three with Norway and Portugal, who were due to meet later that evening. Wales, beaten in both of their opening matches, remained at the foot of the section without a point.
