The Netherlands has a double reason to celebrate: Frenkie de Jong He returned to their ranks, in addition to being a starter, after a 433-day absence and the team led by a happy Ronald Koeman They qualified for the quarterfinals of the Nations League after defeating Hungary in a head-to-head match at the Johan Cruyff Arena (4-0).
After Germany, leader of this group 3 of League A and with a passage already, the Netherlands has 8 points and, with one day left, is 3 ahead of Hungary and also won on ‘average’ specifically.
Great fear on the Hungarian bench
The match, in which the winner qualifies, began with a scare. Adam Szalai, former youth player at Real Madrid, Retired in January 2023 and is now a member of the Hungarian national team coaching staff, faded on the bench and required immediate treatment and transfer to hospital, where he is stable.
Before the incident Hungary managed to advance with a loss of It’s Jan Paul van Hecke, in his headline premiere as international, allowed Dominik Szoboszlai run away Virgil van Dijk His Liverpool teammate blocked his shot in a providential way but the rebound fell to Andras Schäfer, that the shot from the side of the box came off the crossbar.
Gil Manzano, on VAR and Weghorst scored a penalty
The first thing he did Jesus Gil Manzano, After the match was stopped for 13 minutes, before play resumed, VAR reviewed the ball centered on Cody Gakpohit the arm of Tamas Nikitscher and declared punishment. Wout Weghorst He opened the scoring by taking the maximum penalty (21′).
Hungary seemed unaffected by the dramatic start to this match and, moments after the goal, had a chance to equalize with a header from Roland Sallai which is not surprising Bart Verbruggen
De Jong, conductor
But the Netherlands did not hesitate and, with 69% ownership. took full control of the party in the hands of a Frenkie de Jong served as the perfect orchestra conductor distributing the ball with his characteristic skill.
Denes Dibusz avoided 2-0 with a fantastic save as he tapped in a header from the corner Tijani Reijnders. The ‘oranje’, with a dynamic game looking for actions in the wings Denzel Dumfries, Donyell Malen and Gakpo, He had more chances to extend the lead, although Hungary also put him in some trouble on the counterattack, which he solved well in defense.
Gakpo, also from the penalty
Gil Mazano subtracted 13 minutes before the break and, on the 12th, Gakpo made it 2-0 this time managing to launch the game’s second after ‘asking’ Weghorst. The sin was committed by Zsolt Nagy to Malen.
As soon as the second half started, Weghorst managed to score 3-0 with a wonderful shot that deflected off the crossbar. Hungary tried to get into the game with its vertical play, but conceded the third goal that was certain. Gakpo, featured all night, He put in a cross, the defense denied it and the ball fell to him. Dumfries, with a a superb volley made it 3-0 on the scoreboard (64′).
Koeman retires Frenkie
In the judgment of the party, Koeman relieves Frenkie de Jong the play time passed to the applause of the fans. The coach confirmed the day before that he would not start but the Barcelona player, who overcame a blow to his neck against Real Sociedad, returned in flying colors.
With him the ‘oranje’ gained confidence and are already waiting for a rival in the quarterfinals in the next draw on Wednesday. It will first be a group between Spain, Portugal and Italy or France. Teun Koopmeiners made it 4-0 by heading perfectly to a Dumfries cross.
match lineup
1
22
3
21
2
4
8
14
9
18
11
1
7
18
4
6
3
5
13
19
20
10
Johan Cruyff Arena
Dénes Dibusz1
63′
Loic Nego7
74′
59′
67′
Zsolt Nagy18
67′
Marton Dardai4
54′
Willi Orbán6
5′
Botond Balogh3
78′
Tamás Nikitscher5
András Schäfer13
74′
20′
Barnabas Varga19
59′
83′
Roland Sallai20
79′
56′
78′
Dominik Szoboszlai10
Replacements
Patrik Demjen12
Peter Szappanos22
67′
Kornél Szucs2
Bendeguz Bolla14
83′
Endre Botka21
Adam Nagy8
74′
Mihály Kata17
78′
Kevin Csoboth23
79′
Szabolcs Schön9
67′
84′
Daniel Gera11
74′
78′
Zsombor Gruber15
Levente Szabó16
59′
coach
Ronald Koeman
Marco Rossi
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
