Thessaloniki came within a minute of another statement night for Greece, only for the Netherlands to escape with a 2-2 draw and preserve Xavi Hernández’s unbeaten start in charge. Reijnders struck in the 89th minute to deny the home side a third successive victory in Group A2.
Ivan Jovanovic’s Greece had arrived with unexpected wins over Serbia, 2-1, and Germany, 1-0, and played the first half as though a perfect nine points was within reach. The hosts were backed by a loud crowd and repeatedly pressed Bart Verbruggen’s goal before building a two-goal interval lead.
Their first apparent breakthrough came after 13 minutes, when Tziolis found the net, but referee Marco Guida ruled it out because Pavlidis was interfering from an offside position. Tziolis then had to leave the match through injury two minutes later, with Masouras taking his place.
The setback will concern Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, with the winger having started each of the first five Premier League rounds. Greece, however, did not lose their momentum after his departure.
Ioannidis put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute, meeting Masouras’s flick and driving a low effort beyond Verbruggen. The stands responded with chants of “Hellas, Hellas”, and the noise increased in first-half stoppage time when Masouras punished a Ruben van Bommel mistake to make it 2-0.
Dutch changes alter the contest
The Netherlands had offered little before the break, but Hernández reshaped his midfield and attack after half-time. Gravenberch and Reijnders were introduced to bring greater control in central areas, while Noa Lang gave the visitors a more direct threat down the left.
The recovery began in the 59th minute. Van Dijk rose to head in a Veerman corner and cut Greece’s advantage in half. As the home side sank deeper, the Dutch continued to push forward and Denzel Dumfries had two efforts disallowed for offside.
Greece appeared ready to see out the win, but Reijnders arrived in the penalty area in the final minute to turn home a loose ball. The former Manchester City player, now at Al-Qadsiah, ensured the Netherlands left northern Greece with a point rather than a first defeat under Hernández.
Group A2 remains led by Greece
Germany’s 2-0 victory over bottom side Serbia means the Netherlands remain second in the section, despite their late comeback in Thessaloniki. Greece stay top of Group A2, although the draw leaves them just short of the flawless opening they had threatened for much of the evening.
