In the semi-finals of the Nations League, the Dutch national team lost 4-2 to Croatia. As a result, the Orange will play for third place in this mini-tournament on Saturday. National coach Ronald Koeman did not put a single Ajax player in the starting line-up
In the first half, the Dutch national team started very nicely in the atmospheric Rotterdamse Kuip and the team took the lead. After a beautiful attack, Donyell Malen was the final destination. The native of Wieringen continued his good form from the German Borussia Dortmund to the Rotterdam Kuip.
Substitute Bergwijn
In the second half it went a lot less. The Croats outclassed the Dutch and ended up leading 2-1. Fifteen minutes before the end, Ajax player Steven Bergwijn entered the field, and Noa Lang also got playing time five minutes before the end. And that last substitution was an excellent move by national coach Ronald Koeman. The former Ajax player shot the 2-2 against the ropes well into injury time and that meant extra time.
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In extra time, fatigue crept into Koeman’s team. And Croatia stayed on their feet more easily and took better chances. Via Bruno Petkovic and captain Luka Modric, the scoreboard for the Eastern European country was 4-2 after 120 minutes.
Now the Netherlands can prepare for the consolation final on Saturday. On Thursday evening it will be clear whether that will be Spain or Italy. Croatia will play the final of the Nations League on Sunday.
Basic line-up Netherlands: Bijlow; Dumfries, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Ake; De Jong, Wieffer, Koopmeiners; Malen, Gakpo, Simons.