Netherlands Player Ratings: Tijjani Reijnders Sparks Comeback in Nations League Draw vs Greece
The Netherlands managed a dramatic 2-2 draw against Greece in Thessaloniki, thanks to standout performances from Tijjani Reijnders and Virgil van Dijk, who led a spirited second-half comeback. The Dutch were trailing by two goals at halftime but rallied impressively to salvage a point.
Match Summary
The first half was a nightmare for Xavi Hernandez’s side. Greece's direct approach caused problems, with Fotis Ioannidis scoring in the 23rd minute and Giorgos Masouras doubling the lead during stoppage time. Despite dominating possession at 71%, the Netherlands struggled to break down Greece’s compact defense and faced a tough challenge at the break.
The turning point came after halftime when Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch entered the match. Van Dijk started the revival in the 59th minute with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Joey Veerman. The pressure paid off again in the 89th minute as Reijnders fired home from close range to level the score. Although defensive errors early on will frustrate the coaching team, the Dutch showed resilience with 19 shots and kept their hopes alive in Group A2.
Goalkeeper & Defense
- Bart Verbruggen - 5/10: Faced only four shots on target but conceded twice. His distribution was sometimes hampered by limited movement ahead of him.
- Denzel Dumfries - 6/10: Worked hard on the right wing, providing width where it was needed. Thought he scored an equaliser but it was ruled out for offside after VAR review.
- Jurrien Timber - 5/10: Tried to support midfield overloads but got caught out during transitions. Substituted in the 78th minute for Gjivai Zechiel.
- Virgil van Dijk - 7/10: The driving force behind the comeback, scoring with a strong header. Helped steady the defense despite early shaky moments.
- Micky van de Ven - 5/10: Showed vital recovery pace but offered little offensively. More contribution expected given the team's control of possession.
Midfield
- Quinten Timber - 4/10: Struggled to set the rhythm and was often bypassed. Replaced by Gravenberch at halftime.
- Joey Veerman - 7/10: Served as the creative core, assisting Van Dijk’s goal with a precise corner. Maintained the team's passing flow with 619 passes.
- Guus Til - 4/10: Had little impact in a congested central area. Subbed off at halftime to inject more dynamism.
Attack
- Crysencio Summerville - 6/10: The most aggressive forward, winning fouls and trying to unsettle defenders, though his final passes lacked precision.
- Ruben van Bommel - 3/10: Had a poor first half, struggling to influence play and gifting Greece their second goal with a backpass error. Replaced by Noa Lang at halftime.
- Mexx Meerdink - 5/10: Showed energy upfront but remained isolated and ineffective due to lack of support. Subbed for Joshua Zirkzee in the 70th minute.
Substitutes & Manager Impact
- Tijjani Reijnders - 8/10: Came on at halftime and changed the game with his drive. Scored the equaliser late on, rewarding his energetic performance.
- Ryan Gravenberch - 6/10: Added ball control and strength in midfield, coinciding with Dutch dominance in the second half.
- Noa Lang - 7/10: Injected creativity and unpredictability on the left wing, delivering dangerous crosses and drawing a yellow card for a fiery moment.
- Joshua Zirkzee - 7/10: Nearly secured the win with a powerful header saved brilliantly. Provided the assist for Reijnders’ equaliser with a key flick-on.
- Gjivai Zechiel - 6/10: Energized the team late on with a lively cameo after coming on in the 78th minute.
- Xavi Hernandez - 7/10: The starting lineup faltered against Greece's aggressive tactics, but his triple substitution at halftime shifted momentum and rescued a crucial point.
