Team Netherlands
Team Netherlands

The Netherlands defeated Hungary 4-0 in their winner-takes-all Nations League match on Saturday, while Germany thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0. The Netherlands and Hungary went into the match deadlocked on five points each, with the winner joining Germany in advancing from Group A3 to the quarterfinals. Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo’s first-half penalties propelled the Oranje, while Denzel Dumfries and Teun Koopmeiners sealed the victory in the second period.

“There are always things we can work on,” Dutch skipper Virgil van Dijk told SBS6. “But in the end, we deserved to win.” The play at the Johan Cruyff Arena was temporarily delayed in the seventh minute due to a medical emergency in the Hungarian 

The referee halted play for about 10 minutes while Hungary’s assistant coach, Adam Szalai, received treatment, concealed from view by huddled players and staff participants, as well as a large white sheet. Szalai, 36, was stretchered off to acclaim from both spectators and players; the Hungarian FA later stated that he was “conscious” and in a “stable condition” in an Amsterdam hospital.

“Thankfully, I just heard that he regained circulation on the pitch.” Things like this are more significant than football.” Tamas Nikitscher’s handball as the ball crossed past the Hungarian box went almost unnoticed in the aftermath of the frightening event. The referee reviewed the touchline video monitor and immediately restarted play by pointing to the spot, allowing Weghorst to put the Netherlands ahead.

Denes Dibusz was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first period, and he had to be vigilant to keep away Tijjani Reijnders and Donyell Malen. Dutch dominance paid off in the 11th minute of added time when Malen was clipped in the box by Zsolt Nagy.

Gakpo converted the subsequent penalty kick, sending Dibusz the wrong way and giving the Netherlands a two-goal advantage. Right-back Dumfries cemented the Netherlands’ place in the quarterfinals just after the hour mark, latching onto Malen’s flick-on at the back post and volleying into the far corner.

‘Good fun.’

Germany secured first place in the group with a 7-0 victory over Bosnia, the heaviest in the Nations League’s six-year history.”It was a nice time tonight. After a few goals, we put in some defensive effort before everything came together offensively. “The more that happens, the more fun we’ll have on the offer,” German attacker Jamal Musiala told UEFA.com.

Musiala opened the scoring after two minutes with a header off Joshua Kimmich’s cross. Tim Kleindienst scored Germany’s opening goal in the 23rd minute, and Kai Havertz sealed the victory eight minutes before halftime with a beautiful one-two with Florian Wirtz.