◤UEFA Nations League - Group Stage◢ Super-sub Joshua Zirkzee scores as Netherlands secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Serbia..

The Netherlands secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Serbia on Sunday in their Matchday 4 fixture of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League (League A, Group B) at the Philips Stadion.

In the first half, Teun Koopmeiners scored directly from a free-kick, while Cvetković found the net with a header. In the second half, Zirkzee scored from point-blank range. Ultimately, the Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1. Following this round of matches, the Oranje temporarily lead the group with 8 points, while the Orlovi sit at the bottom with 0 points.

First Half

In the 3rd minute, Crysencio Summerville crossed into the box from the right wing. Mexx Meerdink rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Vanja Milinković-Savić.

Shortly after, Ryan Gravenberch made a straight pass from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Meerdink volleyed the ball with his left foot, but his shot sailed over the bar.

In the 12th minute, Summerville cuts the ball back from the byline at the right wing. Joey Veerman quickly followed up and upon receiving the ball, volleyed with his right foot from the right side of the box. His shot was parried and cleared off not far away by Milinković-Savić. Meerdink quiclkly followed up and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort went over the crossbar.

In the 31st minute, the Netherlands earned a deadly free-kick opportunity. Teun Koopmeiners took the free kick by taking a left-footed direct shot from a difficult angle outside the box, his shot flew straight into the bottom left corner of the net before Milinković-Savić could react, breaking the deadlock and giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead! 

4 minutes later, Aleksa Terzić crossed into the box from the byline at the left wing. Mihajlo Cvetković rose high and scored with a header in the box, equalizing the match at 1-1 for Serbia against the Netherlands! This marked Terzić's first assist for the national team!

At the end of the first half, the Netherlands and Serbia headed into the break temporarily tied at 1-1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 46th minute, Stefan Gudelj made a straight pass from the attacking third. Cvetković quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps, before volleying with his left foot, but his shot went wide of the left side of the post.

5 minutes later, the Netherlands won a free-kick opportunity. Koopmeiners took the free kick from outside the box by taking a left-footed direct shot, but his shot was deflected off the wall before being held onto by Milinković-Savić.

In the 72nd minute, Tijjani Reijnders passes horizontally from the byline at the left side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Joshua Zirkzee side-footed the ball  into the bottom right corner of the net from a very close distance in the box, putting the Netherlands back in front at 2-1! This was the Manchester United forward's first international goal in two years.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Filip Kostić passes horizontally from the left wing. Nemanja Gudelj got the ball and took a few steps, before taking a right-foonted long shot from about 45 yards out of the penalty area, but hid shot was saved by Bart Verbruggen's flying save.

When the final whistle is blown, the Netherlands secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Serbia.

Image source: Internet / Getty Images