The Netherlands gave Xavi Hernandez his first win as head coach with a 2-1 Nations League victory over Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday, while Denmark saw off Wales. The Dutch were held to a 1-1 draw by Germany in Xavi’s bow on Thursday, but two goals from Mexx Meerdink were enough for them to get past a spirited Serbia and move to four points from two games in Group A2.
The Oranje turned to Barcelona great Xavi after a disappointing World Cup last-32 exit at the hands of Morocco. Serbia passed up a good opportunity to take a 17th-minute lead when Dejan Joveljic could only shoot straight at Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen when completely unmarked inside the area. Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo then hobbled off injured in a blow to the Netherlands and was replaced by Ruben van Bommel.
But Xavi’s men forged ahead on the half-hour mark as AZ Alkmaar striker Meerdink drilled in a penalty to score his first international goal after Aleksa Terzic fouled Crysencio Summerville. Serbia coach Veljko Paunovic brought on striker Luka Jovic at half-time and the change paid off almost immediately, as the former Real Madrid man turned the ball in following a goalmouth scramble less than a minute after the restart.
But the visitors reclaimed the lead in the 69th minute as Meerdink, who made his Netherlands debut against Germany, fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner after being played in by substitute Guus Til. – Wales beaten again – Denmark bounced back from Thursday’s dramatic loss to Norway by seeing off Wales 2-0 in Copenhagen in Group A4.
The Scandinavians, who missed out on the World Cup with a penalty shoot-out defeat by the Czech Republic in the play-offs, have now won their last four meetings with Wales. Home forward Gustav