Virgil van Dijk scores as Netherlands beat Belgium 1-0 qualify for 2022-23 Nations League finals Four.
- The Netherlands qualified for the Nations League finals as Virgil van Dijk's header secured victory over Belgium at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
In order for Louis van Gaal's team to defeat second-placed Belgium, whom they defeated 4-1 in the rematch in June, they needed to win by three goals.
But after 73 minutes, Liverpool's Van Dijk intercepted Cody Gakpo's corner to guarantee their advancement.
In the group stage, the Dutch finished unbeaten and six points ahead of Belgium.
Roberto Martinez, the manager of Belgium, called the team's humiliating loss to the Netherlands in their previous encounter "a required wake-up call" and declared that his team was out for "revenge" going into their matchup in Amsterdam.
For the first time in 50 matches, Belgium failed to score, and the Netherlands will head into the World Cup on a 15-match unbeaten run.
The first half was quiet for the Dutch, who failed to manage a shot on goal. However, after Belgium got things going in the second half, stopping Onana with a one-handed save, Van Dijk all but assured Van Gaal's team of victory.
Dodi Lukebakio, a substitute, came close to scoring a thrilling consolation goal for Belgium with an overhead kick that hit the crossbar.
____
BBC SPORTS
Post a Comment