Mexx Meerdink emerged as the match-winner in Belgrade as the Netherlands edged past Serbia 2-1 in the second round of the Nations League. The young forward scored twice to hand the Dutch their first victory under head coach Xavi and keep their campaign moving in the right direction.

The visitors were dealt an early blow when Cody Gakpo was forced off in the 17th minute following a challenge from Saša Lukić. With one of their key attacking players gone, the Netherlands had to work harder to break down a disciplined Serbian defence.

They eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Summerville was brought down inside the box, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Mexx Meerdink kept his cool from 12 yards, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead.

Serbia responded at the break by introducing two of their most experienced attacking players, Dušan Tadić and Luka Jović. The changes immediately gave the hosts greater attacking momentum, and they soon found the equaliser.

Both substitutes played a role in the move, with Luka Jović applying the finishing touch to make it 1-1. Suddenly, the momentum was with the hosts and the Netherlands faced another test of their character.

But the visitors had the decisive moment. In the 69th minute, Mexx Meerdink struck for the second time, restoring the Netherlands' lead and completing a memorable brace. Serbia could not find another response as the Dutch held on for a valuable 2-1 away victory.

The result leaves the Netherlands on four points after two Nations League matches. Their next assignment comes on October 1, when they travel to face Greece.

UEFA Nations League 2026-27

Serbia - Netherlands 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Meerdink, 30 (penalty) (0:1); Jovic, 46 (1:1); Meerdink, 69 (1:2)

Serbia: Milinkovic-Savic V.; Nedeljkovic (Erakovic, 59); Pavlović S. (Kostić F., 71); Babić Sr.; Terzić; Stankovic Al. (Maksimovic Nem., 59); Gudelj; Milinković-Savić S. (Tadić Du., 46); Lukic; Joveljić (Jovic, 46); Živković A.
Substitution: Jovic (from 46); Tadić Du. (from 46); Erakovic (from 59); Maksimovic Nem. (from 59); Kostić F. (from 71)
Bench: Petrovic Dj.; Stankovic F.; Simić; Dragojević; Dzodic; Samardzic L.; Cvetkoviс
Yellow Cards: Lukic 12

Netherlands: Verbruggen; van Dijk; van Hecke; van de Ven; Dumfries (Timber J., 80); Gravenberch R. (Til G., 67); Reijnders (Taylor Ke., 67); Veerman J.; Summerville; Gakpo (van Bommel R., 17); Meerdink (Timber Q., 80)
Substitution: van Bommel R. (from 17); Til G. (from 67); Taylor Ke. (from 67); Timber J. (from 80); Timber Q. (from 80)
Bench: Roefs; Flekken; Hato; Ake; Koopmeiners T.; Lang N.; Zirkzee
Yellow Cards: Timber J. 85