Meerdink double gives Xavi first win as Netherlands coach
The Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade to give Xavi Hernandez his first victory as head coach, while Denmark beat Wales 2-0 in the Nations League. Mexx Meerdink scored twice for the Dutch, who moved to four points in Group A2.
The Netherlands secured Xavi Hernandez’s first victory as head coach by beating Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday. The result gave the Dutch four points from their opening two matches in Group A2. They had drawn 1-1 with Germany in Xavi’s first game in charge on Thursday.
Mexx Meerdink scored both Netherlands goals. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after Crysencio Summerville was fouled by Aleksa Terzic. Serbia equalised shortly after half-time when substitute Luka Jovic turned the ball in following a scramble in the Dutch penalty area.
The hosts had earlier missed an opportunity when Dejan Joveljic shot straight at goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from a promising position. Meerdink restored the Netherlands’ lead in the 69th minute, firing into the bottom corner after receiving the ball from substitute Guus Til. The match also saw Dutch winger Cody Gakpo leave the field with an injury.
In Group A4, Denmark defeated Wales 2-0 in Copenhagen. Ben Davies inadvertently turned a Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick into his own goal eight minutes after half-time, before Gustav Isaksen added a second with a deflected effort. Austria also maintained a perfect start in League B by beating Kosovo 3-1 in Vienna.
Ireland were scheduled to face Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, amid protests and security concerns surrounding the fixture.
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