The Netherlands recorded a 7-0 victory to put themselves in pole position to progress at the top of their group with only Germany left to play.
Despite the heavy defeat, Greece still have the opportunity to progress in second place, as they are tied on points with Germany but above them due to head-to-head record; matching the Germans' result against the Netherlands will see them progress.
A Dominant First Half
Greece started slowly: a high press squeezed the ball from the Greek backline, with Crysencio Summerville capitalising on a stray pass from Konstantinos Mavropanos, then burying his effort past Hull City keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis to give the Dutch the lead.
The Netherlands' midfield trio were finding space far too easily between the Greek midfield and defence. Tijjani Reijnders in particular continued to progress forward every time they had possession, allowing the hosts to attack a retreating defence.
Reijnders followed the opener with his first goal six minutes later, after Jurrien Timber played a central ball to Joey Veerman, who played it first time through to Reijnders, who struck the ball into the roof of the net for two.
Greece's full-backs were beginning to look overloaded as the Dutch wide players stretched the pitch. With Summerville and Donyell Malen forcing defenders wide, huge gaps repeatedly appeared through the centre for late midfield runs.
Timber was at it again, beating Greek defenders repeatedly, then nailing a cross into Malen, who chested it down and sent the ball in for Reijnders, arriving on the penalty spot to turn in his second of the night.
Greece looked to have arrested the slide after Fotis Ioannidis broke away from Bart Verbruggen and, under a challenge from Micky Van De Ven, still managed to tap in his effort, only for VAR to deem there had been a handball in the build-up, keeping the score at 3-0.
Reijnders completed his hat-trick with 12 minutes still to go in the first half, after a long ball found Denzel Dumfries, who nodded it down in front of Tzolakis with Reijnders arriving to lash the ball into the roof of the net.
Greece simply had no answer to the movement and intensity of the Dutch press throughout the first half. Unable to establish any sustained spell of possession, the visitors spent much of the opening 45 minutes pinned inside their own half.
Timber got himself on the scoresheet after helping create the opening goals, with Malen again getting the better of Kostas Tsimikas before squaring across the six-yard box for the full-back to tap home.
A Long Second Half
The Netherlands' sixth came just before the hour mark, after Malen played the ball to Dumfries, who made an overlapping run and sent a low cross that evaded everyone in the area and leaked out to Timber at the back post, who made no mistake from close range.
Malen finished the rout just three minutes later, with Dumfries grabbing his second assist of the night, beating Tsimikas and cushioning the ball to Malen from the byline, with his first-time effort nestling behind the far post for seven.
After the seventh, the game slowed down, with Xavi opting to substitute many of the night's star performers, bringing on youngsters Gjivai Zechiel and Ruben Van Bommel, who have made just eight appearances internationally between them.
Looking Ahead
The victory extends Xavi's unbeaten start as Oranje manager to five matches, comprising three wins and two draws, while also delivering the biggest victory of his tenure.
For Greece, their unbeaten run stretching back to June comes to an emphatic end and leaves qualification hanging in the balance heading into Monday's decisive fixtures.
The Netherlands travel to face Germany knowing a draw will likely be enough to secure top spot, while Greece must avoid dropping points against Serbia if they are to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
