Belgrade offered Xavi his first win as Netherlands coach on Sunday, a 2-1 result over Serbia that followed an encouraging draw with Germany in his debut three days earlier. In a city where the hosts sat deep and ceded the initiative, the Oranje found their decisive figure in AZ forward Mexx Meerdink, whose two goals came in only his second international appearance.
A new start on the Netherlands bench
Xavi’s appointment came after Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot declined the opportunity to take charge of the Dutch national side. Sporting director Nigel de Jong has confirmed that the former Barcelona coach was the third choice for the post, but the opening signs have been positive.
The Terrassa-born coach began with a draw against Germany, a match in which possession was close to even. Serbia presented a different examination. The home side were in difficult form and set up primarily to contain Netherlands, using a 5-4-1 shape that left Xavi’s team responsible for making the game.
Netherlands accepted that task, working the ball wide and repeatedly looking to enter the Serbian area rather than circulating possession without purpose. Crysencio Summerville was especially important in unsettling the compact defence, providing the direct running that the visitors needed.
How Netherlands won in Belgrade
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Summerville won a penalty in the 30th minute after contact from Terzic. The decision was a soft one, with the challenge appearing slight, but referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot.
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Meerdink took responsibility and drove his penalty firmly and low beyond Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to give Netherlands a 1-0 half-time lead.
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Serbia coach Veljko Paunovic changed the contest at the interval by introducing Luka Jovic. The former Real Madrid striker scored almost immediately after coming on, beating Bart Verbruggen to level the match.
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Netherlands resumed their search for a winner. Ruben van Bommel struck the woodwork in the 53rd minute, while Tijjani Reijnders missed a good chance in the 59th after a well-worked attacking move.
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Guus Til entered from the bench and created the decisive moment in the 69th minute. His pass released Meerdink, who guided a cross-field finish beyond Milinkovic-Savic for his second goal and the 2-1 victory.
Meerdink’s swift impact and a concern over Gakpo
At 23, Meerdink had been handed his Netherlands debut by Xavi less than a week earlier. His willingness to take the first penalty, followed by the composure of his winning finish, made him the central figure of the night.
There was, however, an unwelcome development before half-time. Cody Gakpo left the field with what appeared to be a problem in his left leg. The Liverpool attacker is expected to miss Thursday’s trip to Greece, another fixture that will offer a clearer measure of Xavi’s early Netherlands project.
For now, the Dutch have moved from a promising first draw to an away victory in Belgrade. What began as a third-choice appointment is quickly giving Xavi an opportunity to establish himself as the right fit for the Oranje.
