Van Dijk scores as Dutch reach Nations League finals

Published on: 25 September 2022

The Netherlands are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions

The Netherlands qualified for the Nations League finals as Virgil van Dijk's header secured victory over Belgium at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Louis van Gaal's side needed to avoid defeat by three goals against second-placed Belgium, whom they beat 4-1 in the reverse fixture in June.

But they made certain of their progress when Liverpool defender Van Dijk met Cody Gakpo's corner after 73 minutes.

The Dutch ended their group campaign unbeaten, six points clear of Belgium.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez described Belgium's heavy defeat in their previous meeting with the Netherlands as "a needed wake-up call", and said prior to their meeting in Amsterdam that his side were out for "revenge".

The Netherlands topped Nations League Group A4 as Wales were relegated

Martinez had to watch from the from stands as he served a touchline ban in Amsterdam, with Thierry Henry taking charge in the dugout.

Having kept their faint hopes of reaching next summer's finals alive with victory over Wales three days ago, Belgium tried to unsettle the hosts early on but Eden Hazard was unable to make the most of Amadou Onana's cutback inside five minutes.

The Dutch did not manage a shot on target in a quiet first half but, after a lively start to the second period by Belgium which saw Remko Pasveer deny Onana with a one-handed save, Van Dijk all but guaranteed Van Gaal's side top spot.

Substitute Dodi Lukebakio almost scored a sensational consolation goal for Belgium with an overhead kick that struck the crossbar.

But, for the first time in 50 matches, Belgium failed to score, and the Netherlands will head into the World Cup on a 15-match unbeaten run.

The other match in the group saw Wales relegated after they were beaten at home by Poland.

    Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsNetherlands

Formation 3-4-1-2

1Pasveer2Timber4van Dijk5Aké22Dumfries15de Roon11Berghuis17Blind14Klaassen9Janssen7Bergwijn

    1Pasveer2TimberSubstituted forde Vrijat 66'minutes4van Dijk5AkéSubstituted forMalaciaat 45'minutes22DumfriesBooked at 77mins15de Roon11BerghuisSubstituted forGakpoat 31'minutes17Blind14KlaassenSubstituted forGravenberchat 90+2'minutes9JanssenSubstituted forTaylorat 45'minutesBooked at 84mins7Bergwijn

Substitutes

    3de Ligt6de Vrij8Gakpo10Brobbey12Rensch13Cillessen16Malacia18Taylor19Weghorst20Gravenberch21Noppert23Flekken

Belgium

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Courtois4Debast2Alderweireld5Vertonghen15Meunier18Onana6Witsel21Castagne7De Bruyne10E Hazard23Batshuayi

    1Courtois4Debast2Alderweireld5Vertonghen15MeunierSubstituted forCarrascoat 45'minutesBooked at 82mins18OnanaSubstituted forTielemansat 75'minutes6Witsel21CastagneBooked at 6minsSubstituted forLukebakioat 82'minutes7De Bruyne10E HazardSubstituted forTrossardat 64'minutes23BatshuayiSubstituted forDe Ketelaereat 45'minutes

Substitutes

    3Theate8Tielemans9Openda11Carrasco12Mignolet13Casteels14De Ketelaere16T Hazard17Trossard19Lukebakio20Vanaken22Saelemaekers

Referee:Anthony TaylorMatch StatsHome TeamNetherlandsAway TeamBelgiumPossessionHome46%Away54%ShotsHome13Away11Shots on TargetHome5Away4CornersHome4Away2FoulsHome12Away9Live Text Post update

Match ends, Netherlands 1, Belgium 0.

90'+5'Full Time

Second Half ends, Netherlands 1, Belgium 0.

90'+5'Post update

Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) hits the right post with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Leandro Trossard with a cross.

90'+3'Post update

Foul by Axel Witsel (Belgium).

90'+3'Post update

Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

90'+2'Substitution

Substitution, Netherlands. Ryan Gravenberch replaces Davy Klaassen.

90'+1'Post update

Foul by Zeno Debast (Belgium).

90'+1'Post update

Steven Bergwijn (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'Post update

Attempt saved. Steven Bergwijn (Netherlands) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daley Blind with a through ball.

89'Post update

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Cody Gakpo.

88'Post update

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

88'Post update

Foul by Tyrell Malacia (Netherlands).

88'Post update

Offside, Belgium. Kevin De Bruyne tries a through ball, but Charles De Ketelaere is caught offside.

87'Post update

Attempt saved. Davy Klaassen (Netherlands) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cody Gakpo.

84'Booking

Kenneth Taylor (Netherlands) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

84'Post update

Youri Tielemans (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

84'Post update

Foul by Kenneth Taylor (Netherlands).

83'Post update

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Tyrell Malacia.

82'Substitution

Substitution, Belgium. Dodi Lukébakio replaces Timothy Castagne.

82'Booking

Yannick Carrasco (Belgium) is shown the yellow card.

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Source: bbc.com

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