Audio By Carbonatix
Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning goal as the Netherlands beat Serbia to move to the top of their Nations League group.
The Manchester United forward came on at half-time and restored the hosts' lead in Eindhoven with a tap-in from Tijjani Reijnders' pass across goal.
Teun Koopmeiners was one of four Dutch changes, making his first start under Xavi, and the Juventus midfielder opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, finding the far bottom corner with a free-kick whipped in from the right from a crowded box.
Four minutes later, Mihajlo Cvetkovic rose above Koopmeiners to head past Bart Verbruggen for his first international goal, drawing Serbia level, but Zirkzee would have the decisive say.
It was a special night for Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, as the 35-year-old centre-back made his 100th international appearance.
Van Dijk's defence mostly thwarted a Serbian side that started strongly but remained winless at the bottom of group A2.
Joey Veerman and Reijnders both went close to adding to the Netherlands' tally, but they did not need a third goal. Winning by the same scoreline against Serbia twice in quick succession - having prevailed in Belgrade seven days prior to this latest meeting - puts them in a strong position with two games remaining.
New Netherlands head coach Xavi remains unbeaten after four games in charge, with two wins and two draws.
Latest Stories
-
Cryptocurrency regulation: BoG, SEC must collaborate closely to align risk assessments – IMF
37 minutes -
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,000, government data shows
48 minutes -
Ethiopian rebel forces withdraw from Tigray regional capital
56 minutes -
All set for 7th Ghana Credit Excellence Awards 2026 on October 10
59 minutes -
Why pastors may not be seen – or heard – preaching on buses for much longer
1 hour -
Oil slips as Middle East crude exports rise, G7 to release stocks
1 hour -
France to step up Ebola funding in Congo amid resurgence fears, minister says
1 hour -
Djokovic beats Zverev to reach China Open semis
2 hours -
Brazil election goes to run-off as right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro wins first round
2 hours -
Modric ‘ashamed’ of Croatia’s ‘catastrophic night’
2 hours -
Klopp’s mixed start continues as Germany held
2 hours -
The job interview question you don’t have to answer
2 hours -
Trump unveils ‘Super Intelligence Force’ to oversee AI policy
2 hours -
Zirkzee gives Netherlands win as van Dijk joins 100 club
3 hours -
Haaland injury worry as Norway lose in Portugal
3 hours