Belgian U21s Fall Short in Netherlands Friendly Despite Late Rally

Leuven, Belgium – A late surge wasn’t enough for Belgium’s Under-21 team as they fell 2-1 to the Netherlands in a friendly match on Monday, March 30, 2026. Despite a spirited second-half performance sparked by a quartet of substitutions, Jonge Duivels couldn’t overcome a first-half deficit created by goals from Dutchmen Haen and Oufkir. The match, whereas a friendly, carried the weight of a traditional rivalry, but Belgium struggled to identify its rhythm for much of the contest.

Slow Start Plagues Belgian Side

The match began tentatively for the young Belgian side, particularly given the significant lineup changes from their recent European Championship qualifying victory. Only Arthur Vermeeren retained his place in the starting eleven, disrupting the team’s continuity. Belgium attempted to establish possession, but lacked attacking spark, with even the usually dynamic Duranville largely neutralized. Sloppy passing in the midfield repeatedly put the team under pressure.

The Dutch capitalized on Belgium’s hesitant start, taking the lead in the 13th minute. Haen headed home a well-delivered corner kick from Oufkir, leaving the Belgian defense exposed. Oufkir continued to torment the Belgian backline, doubling the Netherlands’ advantage before halftime. He exploited the lack of playing time for Mateo Dams with his Saudi Arabian club, a point noted in post-match analysis.

Second-Half Substitutions Ignite Belgian Attack

Belgium emerged for the second half still trailing 2-0. While showing flashes of creativity – Adedeji-Sternberg even hitting the woodwork – they largely lacked the intensity and cutting edge needed to trouble the Dutch defense. A quadruple substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Mokio, Piedfort, Bassette, and Vermant, proved to be a turning point.

The fresh legs and attacking impetus provided by the substitutes immediately improved Belgium’s performance. Piedfort and Vermant, forming a new strike partnership, injected much-needed maturity and danger into the attack. In the 74th minute, Vermant set up Bassette for a goal, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and injecting a renewed sense of hope into the Belgian side.

Late Push Falls Short

The goal spurred Belgium on, and they pressed for an equalizer. A combination of Dutch inefficiency and a solid performance from Belgian goalkeeper Kjell Peersman kept the game alive. Still, despite a frantic final 15 minutes, Belgium couldn’t find a way through the Dutch defense. Jong Oranje ultimately maintained control, securing the 2-1 victory.

Swerts and Vermeeren Reflect on the Performance

Belgium coach Gill Swerts acknowledged the team’s slow start and lack of intensity in the first half. “The intensity and the quality were much lower than on Friday,” Swerts said. “We wanted to see everyone play, but then we also want everyone to show the same intensity. And that wasn’t the case in the first twenty minutes. Afterwards, you get a little better into the game, but you concede two goals due to the fact that you let them play too much. We made a few changes and then you immediately see a different drive and we score the goal. We wanted to turn the game around with the attackers, because it is still Netherlands-Belgium, you realize. That is a game you want to win. And we had the feeling: “Okay, we have to bring a new dynamic.” That’s how you see that if we play with the right drive, we can develop life difficult for many teams and that we simply have a very strong selection.”

Arthur Vermeeren, the lone starter from the previous qualifying match, expressed disappointment with the result. “You play for your country, so the intention was to go all out to win the game,” Vermeeren stated. “It’s frustrating that it didn’t operate out. It’s a shame to concede the first goal like that, when we had everything under control. That changed the game. And at important moments we weren’t sharp enough and often too weak in the duel defensively. It was better in the second half, with more intensity and pressing, which gave us more control back. But it wasn’t enough. The substitutions gave us more energy and intensity in the game. That was good for the team. A draw was certainly still possible, but it didn’t happen. It’s a shame to conclude the week like this. Even though it’s friendly, you want to win every game, especially against the neighbors.”

What’s Next for the Jonge Duivels?

The Belgian U21 team will now turn their attention to their upcoming European Championship U21 qualifying campaign. Their next scheduled match is against Austria on Friday, September 24, 2026. The team will undoubtedly look to build on the positive aspects of their second-half performance against the Netherlands and address the issues that plagued their start to the game. Fans can find the full schedule and team updates on the official Belgian Football Association website: https://www.voetbalfocus.be/rode-duivels/jonge-duivels/

This friendly served as a valuable learning experience for Swerts and his squad, providing insights into team combinations and individual performances ahead of crucial qualifying matches. While the result was disappointing, the late rally demonstrated the team’s resilience and potential.