A Virgil van Dijk goal in the 91st minute of the game gave the Netherlands a much-need 2-2 draw against Germany on Monday night, propelling the Dutch into the semi-finals of the Uefa Nations League.

Oranje will now join Switzerland, Portugal and England in the lucrative end to the tournament, which will take place in Portugal in early June.

Despite the fightback coach Ronald Koeman told broadcaster NOS after the game he was not impressed with the way his team played. ‘We did not put in enough energy and we were not stable enough up front,’ he said. ‘Everyone played worse than against the French’. Oranje beat world champions France 2-0 on Friday.

Nevertheless, the squad ‘showed character’ he said. ‘And we showed that there is a big future in this team.’

Match report

Oranje captain Van Dijk was also praised after the match for the way he comforted referee Ovidiu Hategan, who had been told at half time his mother had died.

van Dijk on consoling referee Ovidiu Hategan after the game, “He broke down,stood with tears in his eyes because he had just lost his mother. I wished him strength & said he had refereed well. It’s a small thing,but maybe it helps him.”

The beautiful game pic.twitter.com/KFouximQsD

— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) November 19, 2018

* Consoles a weeping referee who lost his mother.

* Gives his jacket to the mascot girl to keep her warm.

* Scores in the 90th minute vs Germany to send his team to the semi-final.

Virgil Van Dijk things

The people’s Captain! #VirgilVanDijk pic.twitter.com/FRoBGllACS

— Babudinho (@NewBabooTimes) November 20, 2018