Reijnders rescues late point for Netherlands in Greece draw

The Netherlands avoided a first defeat under head coach Xavi Hernandez thanks to a late goal from Tijjani Reijnders on Thursday. In a UEFA Nations League clash, the Dutch team came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Greece in Thessaloniki.

The home side built a comfortable lead before the break. Fotis Ioannidis opened the scoring after twenty-three minutes and Georgios Masouras doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time. Xavi's side returned after the interval with a different attitude. Captain Virgil van Dijk brought tension back into the match with a headed goal from a Joey Veerman assist, nine minutes before the hour mark. The Dutch pushed on and were rewarded in the final minute of normal time. Reijnders found the net from inside the box to salvage a point.

Van Dijk was clear about the first-half performance. "The way it went in the first half was unacceptable," the captain said. "We were outplayed before the break and that simply can’t happen."

The equaliser keeps the Netherlands unbeaten in the Nations League, with one win and two draws so far. The next assignment is in just two days, a home fixture against Serbia.

Line-up

Xavi started the match with Bart Verbruggen in goal. The defence consisted of Denzel Dumfries, Jurriën Timber, Virgil van Dijk and Micky van de Ven. Joey Veerman, Guus Til and Quinten Timber formed the midfield. Up front, Crysencio Summerville, Mexx Meerdink and Ruben van Bommel were given the nod. At half-time, the coach introduced Noa Lang, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch for immediate attacking impetus. Joshua Zirkzee and Gjivai Zechiel also came on later.

The comeback sets up Tuesday's match against Serbia as a confident opportunity for the Netherlands, a direct follow-up to last week's away win.