In Eindhoven, the Netherlands recovered from Serbia’s first-half reply to claim a 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory and preserve Xavi Hernández’s unbeaten start with the national side. The result keeps the Dutch at the summit of League A Group B after four rounds, with goal difference separating them from their nearest challengers.
A home win that protects first place
The Netherlands moved onto eight points from four matches and remain unbeaten in the competition under Xavi. Serbia, coached by Veljko Paunović, are still waiting for their first point of the campaign.
- The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 at Eindhoven on Sunday.
- The match formed part of UEFA Nations League League A, Group B.
- The Dutch lead the group on eight points, ahead on goal difference.
- Serbia have no points after four fixtures.
Koopmeiners opens the door, Cvetkovic answers
The hosts established themselves early and turned their territorial control into a goal on the half-hour. Teun Koopmeiners struck from a free kick to give the Netherlands a 1-0 advantage.
Serbia did not allow the stadium to settle for long. Five minutes later, Mihajlo Cvetkovic met the ball in the penalty area and headed past the Dutch goalkeeper, restoring parity before the interval.
Xavi’s team continued to seek control through possession and combinations, looking for openings rather than abandoning their approach after Serbia’s equaliser.
Zirkzee settles a tense second half
The decisive moment arrived in the 71st minute. A flowing Dutch move ended in the six-yard box, where Joshua Zirkzee applied the finish to put the home team back in front.
Serbia pressed for a late leveller and created pressure in the closing stages, but the Netherlands defence held firm. The final whistle confirmed three points in Eindhoven and extended Xavi’s unbeaten record with the Oranje.
