UEFA Nations League: Holland joins the semis after Virgil van Dijk strike

It’s been an interesting maiden tournament in the UEFA Nations League. Teams not at the very top make it almost to the end. Holland made good on fighting till the 90th minute.

It’s been all international action since last week, with the Nations League taking the spot light from other boring friendlies happening in other parts of the world. It’s actually been an exciting view to witness all these European countries bash it out over a new accolade.

But don’t get it twisted… I’d still vote for no country action until all club duty has taken its course. There’s just nothing like it, I suppose.

Before last night…

Before the Netherlands planted both their feet firmly in the last four, the three teams who went through to the final round ahead of them were, England, Portugal, and Switzerland. And before the final whistle was blown, it was between World Cup champions France and no World Cup, Holland.

Virgil van Dijk and his teammates pulled off a stunning victory over the French, aiding them in a bid to surpass their counterparts into the latter stages of this important league. It was over enough to see Germany go down and gave Holland and France a small glimpse of progressing.

Even if Germany had won in the meeting between the two European powerhouses, they’d still be dropping down, actually (to let it be known). But a loss for the Dutch meant an unseen victory for the French resistance and see them go well into the final stages of this new gig.

However, Virgil wasn’t haven’t it!

How it went down

When I said ” Holland made good on fighting till the 90th minute” I really meant it. Germany led for more than three-quarters of the match and gave the impression it was in the cupboard (taken out of the bag at home already) and then let it go, let it go, let it go.

A Quincy promised a 90th minute Dijk strike to seal the deal and take what they earned… Everything! Ronald Koeman’s captain made up for the “Cut out the mistakes out” act back in October and finished a volley worthy of more than one look.

A strike that confirmed the scored reverted back to even, France’s exit from the final slots and a shot in the final four. Robin van Persie would be proud!

The rest of the fixtures: UEFA fixture