Tijjani Reijnders scored a hat-trick as the Netherlands defeated Greece 7-0 on the fifth matchday of the UEFA Nations League.
The Netherlands hosted Greece at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, where Xavi Hernández took charge of the Oranje squad. Coach Hernández stated after the match, “I was not surprised, because it went very well in training.”
Broadcaster NOS labeled the 7-0 blowout a “Monstersieg,” while de Volkskrant described the fixture as a “riveting show.” Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad characterized the outcome for Greece as a “Greek tragedy.”
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong captained the side in place of the injured Virgil van Dijk. “I definitely enjoyed the game. I hope everyone enjoyed it, including the people at home,” de Jong said.
Donyell Malen added the final goal and contributed two assists during the rout in Amsterdam. The squad now travels to face Germany at Berlin’s Olympic stadium on Monday at 20.45 local CET.
Hernández acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting, “It is generally hard to maintain this level, and especially against Germany. I want to enjoy this now, and tomorrow we look further.” De Jong added, “It is always a special game.”
The Netherlands leads Group 2 by three points over Greece and Germany ahead of the final fixtures. A draw in Berlin secures top spot for the Dutch due to their superior goal difference in head-to-head records.
Germany defeated Serbia 3-1 under national coach Jürgen Klopp to stabilize their qualification path. Germany secures first place in Group 2 with a win over the Netherlands coupled with a Greek non-win against Serbia, or by defeating the Netherlands by at least five goals.
Germany secures second place with any victory over the Netherlands by a margin of four goals or fewer, or with a draw if Greece loses to Serbia. Germany drops to third and misses the knockout rounds if they lose to the Netherlands, or if they draw while Greece picks up points against Serbia.
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