DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English 26 October 2026
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Partner content
  • Podcast
  • Advertise
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Partner content
  • Podcast
  • Advertise
  • About us
    • Donate
    • Team
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Netherlands narrowly beat Serbia in Nations League

October 5, 2026
Virgil van Dijk van Nederland and Filip Kostic from Serbia during the game on Sunday. Photo: Sonny Lensen/ANP

See more DutchNews articles in your Google search results

See more DutchNews articles in your Google search results

Add as a favourite source on Google Add DutchNews as a favourite source on Google

The Netherlands men’s football team beat Serbia 2-1 in the Nations League in Eindhoven on Sunday, marking Xavi Hernández’s second win in four games as head coach.

Substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning goal in the 71st minute in a game that also marked captain Virgil van Dijk’s 100th cap, public broadcaster NOS reported.

Teun Koopmeiners put the home side ahead in the first half with a free kick. Serbia equalised soon afterwards by a goal from 19-year-old Anderlecht striker Mihajlo Cvetkovic.

Zirkzee tapped in the winner from close range after Crysencio Summerville’s cross was laid back by Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch finished with 10 men after Micky van de Ven went off with a hand injury, as Xavi had already used all his substitutes.

Xavi, who was appointed in August, has now won twice and drawn twice in his first four games. Germany and Greece drew 0-0 on Sunday, which leaves the Netherlands joint top of their group.

The next round of international matches is in November.

Share this article Add DutchNews to Google
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Football Sport
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Van der Burg plans to use more AI so government can cut payroll
One dead and one missing after Storm Boelo hits NL
Study of revolutionary feminist wins Libris prize for history
International parcels drop by 32% after EU imposes surcharge
Leopard attack leaves Beekse Bergen zookeeper critically injured
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
Partner content
Advertise
About usDonateTeamAdvertiseContact usWriting for Dutch NewsPrivacyNewsletter
© 2026 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you with up-to-date news about this month's Dutch general election.

Our thanks to everyone who donates regularly to Dutch News. It costs money to produce our daily news service, our original features and daily newsletters, and we could not do it without you.

If you have not yet made a donation, or did so a while ago, you can do so via these links

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now