Netherlands secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Serbia in the Nations League, with Xavi once again making a decisive impact from the touchline. The Oranje moved on to eight points under their new head coach, while Serbia, led by Veljko Paunovic, suffered their sixth consecutive defeat.

Xavi surprised everyone with his starting line-up, deploying Teun Koopmeiners in an unusual centre-back role. The tactical gamble quickly paid off: just after the half-hour mark, Koopmeiners delivered a dangerous free-kick cross that caught the Serbian defence off guard and resulted in the opening goal.

Serbia responded quickly. Stefan Cvetkovic rose to the occasion, converting Strahinja Terzic's delivery to level the score and give the visitors renewed belief.

After the break, Xavi turned to his bench in search of fresh energy. The move worked. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee finished off a low cross from Ruben van Bommel to restore the Netherlands' lead and ultimately secure all three points.

Serbia refused to surrender and nearly snatched an equaliser late on, but Bart Verbruggen produced a crucial save to deny Marko Gudelj and preserve the Netherlands' advantage.

UEFA Nations League 2026-27

Netherlands - Serbia 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Koopmeiners T., 31 (1:0); Cvetkoviс, 35 (1:1); Zirkzee, 72 (2:1)

Netherlands: Verbruggen; van Dijk; van de Ven; Dumfries; Koopmeiners T.; Gravenberch R. (Zechiël, 59); Reijnders (Timber Q., 82); Veerman J. (Hato, 58); Summerville; Lang N. (van Bommel R., 58); Meerdink (Zirkzee, 46)
Substitution: Zirkzee (from 46); Hato (from 58); van Bommel R. (from 58); Zechiël (from 59); Timber Q. (from 82)
Bench: Roefs; Flekken; Frimpong J.; Ake; Timber J.; Til G.; Taylor Ke.
Yellow Cards: Reijnders 45

Serbia: Milinkovic-Savic V.; Nedeljkovic; Pavlović S.; Babić Sr.; Terzić (Kostić F., 72); Gudelj (Gudelj, 79); Stankovic Al. (Maksimovic Nem., 66); Samardzic L. (Živković A., 72); Lukic; Tadić Du. (Jovic, 66); Cvetkoviс
Substitution: Maksimovic Nem. (from 66); Jovic (from 66); Kostić F. (from 72); Živković A. (from 72); Gudelj (from 79)
Bench: Rosic; Stankovic F.; Mimovic; Simić; Erakovic; Dragojević; Joveljić
Yellow Cards: Gudelj 14; Pavlović S. 30; Lukic 49; Maksimovic Nem. 74