Zirkzee Sends Netherlands Top as Greece Hold Klopp's Germany to 0-0
Van Dijk wins 100th cap in 2-1 win over Serbia; Germany frustrated in Thessaloniki
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File photo: Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk in April 2025. Photo: Timmy96, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored a 72nd-minute winner as the Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 on Sunday to go top of UEFA Nations League Group A2, on a night when captain Virgil van Dijk earned his 100th cap.
The Dutch lead the group only on goal difference from Greece, who held Jurgen Klopp's Germany to a goalless draw in Thessaloniki, Reuters reported.
Zirkzee settles it in Eindhoven
Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a free kick that evaded everyone in the penalty area and crept into the corner. Serbia were level within four minutes when teenager Mihajlo Cvetković rose above Koopmeiners to head in Aleksa Terzić's cross for his first international goal.
The winner came when Denzel Dumfries' low cross was turned back across goal by Tijjani Reijnders and tapped in by Zirkzee, who received a late call-up to the Dutch squad last week, according to Reuters. The Manchester United forward had come on as a second-half substitute, AFP reported.
The Netherlands are unbeaten in four matches under coach Xavi Hernández, with two wins and two draws, UEFA said.
Germany frustrated in Greece
Germany dominated in Thessaloniki but could not find a way past Greece goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis. UEFA said Klopp's side produced 15 attempts in the first half, while Jonas Urbig pushed away an early Giorgos Masouras header at the other end.
Jonathan Burkardt had the ball in the net for Germany in the first half, but the goal was disallowed, AFP reported. The result came a week after Greece recorded their first-ever win over Germany.
Reuters said Klopp's inexperienced side have won only one of their first four games under the new coach.
Elsewhere in the Nations League
Austria needed a late Christoph Lang header to draw 1-1 in Kosovo and stay three points clear at the top of Group B3. Troy Parrott scored for the Republic of Ireland in a 1-1 draw with Israel, played behind closed doors in the Serbian town of Backa Topola, Reuters reported. Azerbaijan beat Lithuania 1-0 and Malta edged Andorra 1-0.
Sources: Reuters; UEFA; AFP (via The42)
