Serbia 1-2 Netherlands
The Xavi Hernández era is beginning to take shape after the Netherlands secured a hard-fought 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Serbia in Belgrade.
Mexx Meerdink was the hero at the Rajko Mitić Stadium, scoring both Dutch goals on his first senior international start. Luka Jović briefly brought Serbia level immediately after halftime, but Meerdink’s second goal earned Oranje all three points.
The victory was Xavi’s first as Netherlands head coach following the 1-1 draw with Germany in his opening match. However, the celebrations were partly overshadowed by an injury to Cody Gakpo, who was forced off after only 17 minutes.
Meerdink Starts Ahead of Established Strikers
Xavi selected Meerdink to lead the attack after injuries reduced his options. Brian Brobbey suffered a hamstring problem against Germany, while Donyell Malen was also unavailable.
The 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker was supported by Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville, with Tijjani Reijnders, Ryan Gravenberch and Joey Veerman operating in midfield.
The Netherlands controlled possession from the beginning but initially found it difficult to create clear opportunities against Serbia’s defensive structure.
Meerdink failed to connect cleanly with an early Gakpo cross before Dejan Joveljić forced Bart Verbruggen into a save at the opposite end.
Cody Gakpo Forced Off With Injury
Oranje suffered a major setback when Gakpo went down following a heavy challenge from Saša Lukić inside the Serbian penalty area.
The Liverpool forward attempted to continue but was visibly uncomfortable and had to leave the pitch in the 17th minute. Ruben van Bommel replaced him.
Gakpo’s early departure was especially disappointing after he scored the stoppage-time equaliser against Germany in Xavi’s first game. Reports indicated that the forward appeared to twist his ankle in the challenge, but the full severity of the injury had not been confirmed immediately after the match.
Meerdink Scores His First Netherlands Goal
Despite losing Gakpo, the Netherlands continued to push forward and received their reward in the 30th minute.
Summerville drove into the penalty area and was brought down by Aleksa Terzić. The referee awarded a penalty, giving Meerdink the chance to score his first senior international goal.
The striker showed impressive confidence, sending an emphatic spot kick into the bottom-right corner beyond Vanja Milinković-Savić.
Meerdink became the first player to score on his first Netherlands start since Xavi Simons against Iceland in June 2024, according to match reporting.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage before halftime when goalkeeper Milinković-Savić used his full reach to tip Veerman’s dangerous inswinging corner over the crossbar.
Luka Jović Makes Immediate Impact
Serbia coach Veljko Paunović introduced Luka Jović and Dušan Tadić at halftime in an attempt to add greater attacking quality.
The changes immediately transformed the match. Jović tested Verbruggen before the Dutch goalkeeper made another important save from Andrija Živković.
However, Oranje failed to clear the danger. Lukić returned the ball towards Jović, who converted from close range only 54 seconds after the restart. A VAR check confirmed the equaliser, bringing Serbia level at 1-1.
The goal gave the home crowd fresh belief, but the Netherlands gradually regained control through their patient passing and movement in wide areas.
Meerdink Completes Match-Winning Double
Denzel Dumfries became increasingly influential down the right and created two excellent opportunities. Van Bommel struck the post from one of his deliveries, while Reijnders sent another chance over the crossbar.
Xavi then introduced Guus Til, and the substitution produced the winning goal almost immediately.
Til played a well-weighted pass into Meerdink’s path in the 69th minute. The striker held off his marker and directed a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner to restore the Netherlands’ lead.
UEFA confirmed that Meerdink’s two goals on his first Oranje start decided the match, with his penalty and crisp second-half finish securing maximum points.
Jović remained Serbia’s most dangerous player and sent two late headers narrowly wide. Van Bommel also missed an opportunity to make the result safe during a Netherlands counterattack, but Xavi’s team successfully protected its one-goal advantage.
Xavi Praises Progress but Demands Improvement
The Netherlands produced 22 attempts and enjoyed approximately 67% of possession, demonstrating the attacking approach Xavi wants to establish.
Although pleased with the result, the Dutch coach admitted that his team must improve, particularly after an inconsistent opening half. Xavi highlighted Oranje’s stronger second-half performance, attacking movement and ability to create chances as encouraging signs.
The victory followed the Netherlands’ late draw against Germany, taking their total to four points from two Group A2 fixtures. Greece lead the group with six points after beating both Serbia and Germany, while the Dutch occupy second place.
Dream Night for Mexx Meerdink
Meerdink described the performance as a childhood dream after scoring his first two senior international goals.
The young striker admitted that he felt nervous but stressed the importance of being ready when opportunities arrived. His movement, physical strength and finishing offered encouraging evidence that the Netherlands may have discovered another dependable centre-forward.
What Next for the Netherlands and Serbia?
The Netherlands face Group A2 leaders Greece in Thessaloniki on Thursday, 1 October. That match will provide another major test of Xavi’s developing system.
Serbia travel to Munich to face Germany on the same day, with both nations searching for their first victory of the campaign. Oranje then host Serbia in Eindhoven on Sunday, 4 October.
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