The Netherlands landed their place in the Nations League finals tonight after a tight match ended 1-0 thanks to Champions League winner Virgil Van Dijk nodded home the match's only goal in typical Van Dijk fashion. 

The Netherlands entered this tie unbeaten in all their Nations League matches with a single draw against Poland preventing their perfect streak.

They were also weakened by the absence of Memphis Depay, with the Barcelona forward missing the tie through injury.

Roberto Martinez's side were close behind in the table however, needing a three goal swing to summit the group and qualify for June 2023's Nations League finals. 

The Dutch fielded an experienced side with the likes of Davy Klaassen, Vincent Janssen and thirty-eight year old Ajax shot-stopper Remko Pasveer with just his second start for his national side in between the sticks. 

In the starting line-up, Van Gaal also started Premier League regulars Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake

Belgium could boast Kevin De Bruyne in their starting XI, one of the Premier League's and world's finest midfielders along side Real Madrid pairing Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois

However the Oranje would eventually come out on top tonight, with van Gaal's side certainly being deserving of the win. 

  • Story of the Match

Belgium got the ball rolling to kick off this clash between two of Europe's most talented sides.

Martinez's side opened the stronger in the opening moments of the match, with much of the play coming through Eden Hazard

One touch passes defined the Belgiun play as they looked to penetrate the Dutch defence, but to no avail in the early stages. 

The Belgiun's looked to stretch the play, often playing long-balls to catch the Dutch off guard and utilise their attackers in Mitchy Batshuayi and Hazard. 

The Dutch meanwhile struggled to offer much in their attack, with just a few stray balls and failed attacking movements the only output of their attempts on goal. 

The game began to come to life after a defensive slip-up from Steven Berghuis, who's heavy touch was a gift to Kevin De Bruyne

The Manchester City man earnt possession and slipped  in Fenerbahce's Batshuayi, however his attempt fell straight into Pasveer's gloves. 

The former Chelsea man helped to liven up an initially steady affair in the opening fifteen minutes in the Netherlands. 

(Photo: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
(Photo: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)

However, both teams struggled to break each other down in the opening twenty-five minutes of the match, with the 50/50 possession exemplifing the tightness of the match. 

The Belgiun's persisted as the dominant side however, with De Bruyne and Hazard's link-up play threatening their opposition's goal.

Their best chances however both ending in Pasveer's safe gloves, offering little threat. 

Denzel Dumfries give his side a decent opportunity towards the half-hour mark, with Bergwijn's cross proving too heavy for the Ajax man who lashes the attempt over the bar. 

Belgium threatened again, with De Bruyne floating a teasing ball into the path of Axel Witsel, but the Atletico Madrid man could only offer a soft touch on the ball which, again, proved light-work for the Dutch 'keeper.

However, the game played out at the same tempo throughout the first forty-five minutes, measured and cagey. 

The Dutch began to ease their way into the game in the first half's closing stages however, with a chance from substitute Cody Gakpo inside the box being blocked by the stubborn Belgium defence. 

As the first half came to a close, Thierry Henry, Belgium's assistant manager, could be seen on the side line visibly frustrated by his side's lack penetration and desire. 

(Photo: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) Theirry Henry, not impressed.
(Photo: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) Theirry Henry, not impressed.

No doubt, a feeling shared within both teams' camps. 

Both sides thus made chances at half time, as the Netherland's replaced Ake with the more attacking Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia. Vincent Janssen's lacklustre performsnce in the first half resulted in his replacement by Ajax's Kenneth Taylor

Meanwhile, Charles De Ketelaere and Yannick Carrasco replaced Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier respectively for Belgium. 

The Netherlands controlled possession in the opening stages of the second half, with van Gaal's side taking their time in their build-up play as they attempted to finally break down the Belgiuns. 

As the sixtieth minute approached, De Bruyne found himself on the edge of the area with plenty of space to shoot, however the midfielder's attempt was immediately blocked. 

The subsequent pass from De Bruyne was also intercepted within a blink of an eye, perfectly summing up the match's tempo - sluggish and without momentum or ruthlessness. 

Belgium kept pressing however, but the Dutch were happy to sit deep and soak pressure as a draw, win or even a 2-0 loss would see them through to the next stage as group winners. 

Eden Hazard, following a mostly ineffective performance, was replaced by Brighton and Hove Albion's Leandro Trossard.  

Soon after however, the Netherlands gave the match its best opportunity so far. 

De Bruyne struck in a teasing cross to the near post towards Everton's Amadou Onana, but his subsequent shot was saved by a fully-stretched Pasveer. 

Bergwijn soon found himself in space on the left wing. He used his aggression and pace to get himself into a dangerous area, but again his shot was not good enough to truly test Courtois in goal.

  • Stalemate Ended

The Dutch won themselves a corner just before the match's final fifteen minutes, with Gakpo swinging in a dangerous ball. 

Headed-goal specialist, Virgil Van Dijk lived up to his name and coolly placed his headed effort passed Courtois to finally end the stalemate and put his side ahead, effectively finalising the Netherland's place in the Nations League finals. 

Belgium now needed to score four in the final fifteen minutes to top the group.

The Dutch continued their momentum, as Bergwijn lashed a shot narrowing into the side netting. 

The Flying Dutchmen could taste blood from the weakening and tiring Belgium side. 

(Photo: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) Steven Bergwijn was influential for his side in the second half.
(Photo: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) Steven Bergwijn was influential for his side in the second half.

Belgium did not give up however, with efforts from Trossard and De Bruyne testing the Dutch but without a goal. 

Another chance came for Davy Klaassen, who was slipped in by Gakpo. 

Gakpo did excellently to maintain possession and keep the ball through classy footwork. He then lofted a ball into Klaassen who was darting into the box. 

The former Everton man's weak effort was peer practice for Courtois however. 

The Dutch kept knocking on Courtois' door deep into the match's stoppage time, but the Netherlands ended the match with a tight 1-0 win, despite substitute Belgium Dodi Lukebakio's astounding scissor-kick attempt in the final seconds.

A tight and often frustrating affair at the Johan Cruyff Arena ended in favour of the home team to conclude fixtures in Group A4.   

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