Zirkzee winner sends Netherlands top of Nations League Group A2

The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven on Sunday to move into first place in Nations League Group A2. According to NL Times, substitute Joshua Zirkzee delivered the winning goal as Xavi Hernández completed his first international window as head coach with another victory over the same opponents.

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Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring with a free-kick that passed through the penalty area without a touch and found the far corner. Serbia responded four minutes later, when Aleksa Terzić crossed for Mihajlo Cvetkovic to head in. The visitors also threatened before the interval, with Strahinja Pavlovic sending an opportunity wide.

Zirkzee replaced Mexx Meerdink at half-time and finished the decisive move after Denzel Dumfries crossed low and Tijjani Reijnders redirected the ball. Serbia continued to create chances, but Bart Verbruggen protected the Dutch lead by tipping Nemanja Gudelj's long-range effort over the bar in the 93rd minute, NL Times reported.

The German football federation's results service confirms that Greece and Germany drew 0-0 in the group's other Sunday fixture. Its table places the Netherlands first and Greece second, both with eight points from four matches and identical records of two wins and two draws. Germany are third on five points, while Serbia remain without a point after four defeats.

For the Dutch, the result repeated their 2-1 victory away to Serbia on September 27. The DFB's match records also show a 1-1 home draw against Germany and a 2-2 draw away to Greece in this campaign. Greece likewise remain unbeaten, having opened with victories over Serbia and Germany before drawing their two subsequent fixtures. Neither of the leading teams has yet lost in the group.

Two rounds remain on the DFB's published schedule. The Netherlands are due to host Greece on November 13 before travelling to Germany on November 16. Serbia host Germany in the first of those rounds, then visit Greece in the second. With the leading pair level on points and Germany three points behind, those fixtures will settle the final order of the group.