Overview
- The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 in Belgrade on Sunday, September 27, with Mexx Meerdink scoring both goals to secure Xavi Hernández’s first win as national coach.
- Meerdink made his first start for Oranje, converted a penalty for his first international goal and added a second in the 69th minute, earning praise from teammates, analysts and Dutch media.
- Cody Gakpo suffered a heavy challenge from Saša Lukić and was forced off early, and the extent of his injury remains unclear which creates an immediate selection headache for Xavi ahead of upcoming Nations League matches.
- Serbia’s coach Veljko Paunović publicly disputed the penalty that led to the opener, while low attendance (UEFA: 15,212) and critical local coverage underlined public frustration with the home side’s recent run of results.
- The result gives the Netherlands momentum in Group A and offers a testing ground for Xavi’s tactical plan, but squad fitness and consistency will be key variables to watch in the next fixtures against Greece and the return game with Serbia.