Netherlands 7-0 Greece was a night Amsterdam will not forget in a hurry. Tijjani Reijnders scored three times before the break as Xavi Hernández’s side ran riot at the Johan Cruijff ArenA yesterday.
The margin equals the biggest win in Nations League history, according to UEFA.
It also leaves the Dutch three points clear at the top of Group A2 before a trip to Berlin on Monday.
Five Up by Half-Time
Greece arrived unbeaten in the group and were behind inside six minutes. The goals, with times from UEFA’s match data:
| Minute | Score | Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| 6’ | 1-0 | Crysencio Summerville |
| 12’ | 2-0 | Tijjani Reijnders |
| 18’ | 3-0 | Tijjani Reijnders |
| 33’ | 4-0 | Tijjani Reijnders |
| 40’ | 5-0 | Jurriën Timber |
| 59’ | 6-0 | Jurriën Timber |
| 62’ | 7-0 | Donyell Malen |
Reijnders needed just 21 minutes for his treble, and Timber’s first goal made it 5-0 at the interval. Timber struck again early in the second half before Malen completed the scoring. UEFA puts the crowd at 51,221.
Xavi was proud but kept a lid on it. “The first half was amazing, so I have to congratulate the players. But it’s just one game,” he told UEFA.
Greece forward Christos Tzolis was blunter. “I think the first half was the worst performance of the national team,” he said, also speaking to UEFA.
Germany Keep Pace in Belgrade
Jürgen Klopp’s Germany did their part with a 3-1 win in Serbia. UEFA’s round-up says an own goal from Srđan Babić and a Florian Wirtz finish put them two up early, debutant Brajan Gruda added a solo goal after the break, and Serbia finished with nine men. That result lifts Germany level with Greece on eight points.
UEFA’s Group A2 standings with one round to go:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | +9 | 11 |
| 2 | Greece | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | −5 | 8 |
| 3 | Germany | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | +3 | 8 |
| 4 | Serbia | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | −7 | 0 |
Greece sit above Germany despite the worse goal difference because head-to-head points come first when teams finish level, and they won 1-0 in Augsburg in September.
What Berlin Decides
The Netherlands face Germany at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Monday at 20:45 CET, while Greece host Serbia at the same time. The first meeting ended 1-1 in Amsterdam, with Cody Gakpo volleying a stoppage-time equaliser. Only the top two reach the quarter-finals, and UEFA’s scenarios give all three contenders a way in.
The Netherlands need only a draw to finish first. Thanks to yesterday’s 7-0, even a defeat would knock them out only if Greece beat Serbia and Germany won by 14 goals or more.
Germany top the group if they win and Greece fail to win. A draw is enough to take them through if Greece lose.
Greece reach the last eight with a win or a draw against Serbia, as long as Germany do not win in Berlin. If Greece lose, they need Germany to be beaten too.
Serbia are already certain to finish fourth.
A Statement From Xavi’s Side
Netherlands 7-0 Greece sends the Dutch to Berlin with the group in their own hands and the margin for error on their side. Germany, though, still have a route to first place, and Greece still have a route to the last eight.
FAQ
Who refereed Netherlands v Greece?
Rohit Saggi of Norway, according to UEFA’s match data.
Does finishing third in Group A2 mean relegation?
Not directly. Third place is ranked across all four League A groups: the top two of those sides keep their League A status, and the other two drop into a play-off against League B runners-up.
What is at stake for Serbia on Monday?
Their League A future. Fourth-placed teams are ranked too, with the best two sent into the League A/B play-offs and the worst two relegated to League B.
