The Netherlands beat Greece 7-0, equalling the biggest win in Nations League history, and Germany won 3-1 at Serbia, setting up a decider in Berlin on Monday, while John McGinn scored twice for Scotland and Slovenia and Switzerland drew 0-0 in Group B1.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Netherlands and Germany both won on Friday in Nations League Group A2, and they now meet in Berlin on Monday to decide the group. Elsewhere, Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-1 and Switzerland, who are already promoted, were held in Slovenia.
Netherlands 7-0 Greece
The Netherlands tied the record for the biggest win in the competition. Crysencio Summerville opened after six minutes, picking up a loose ball after Konstantinos Mavropanos misplaced an interception and placing it in the bottom-left corner. Tijjani Reijnders then scored three times in 21 minutes: on 12 minutes he rifled in from the left of the six-yard box after a Joey Veerman pass, on 18 he poked in from close range from a recycled corner, and on 33 he fired in off the underside of the crossbar after collecting a knockdown from Denzel Dumfries. Jurriën Timber made it 4-0 on 40 minutes, slotting in from a few yards out, and added a fifth on 59, turning into an empty net. Donyell Malen finished the scoring on 61 minutes with a first-time shot past Konstantinos Tzolakis after another Dumfries cross. It was the first time Greece had conceded seven in a match since May 1989. The Netherlands, unbeaten under Xavi, lead Group A2 on 11 points.
Serbia 1-3 Germany
Germany, under Jürgen Klopp, took the lead on 3 minutes when Kai Havertz headed a corner and the ball deflected off Srđan Babić into the net. Florian Wirtz made it 2-0 on 14 minutes, guiding in the rebound after Havertz’s shot was saved. Brajan Gruda, making his Germany debut, added a third on 50 minutes after a run from near halfway. Babić scored at the right end on 56 minutes, tapping in after Marc-André ter Stegen palmed Nemanja Gudelj’s shot into his path. Vanja Dragojević was sent off on 76 minutes for a tackle on Joshua Kimmich, and Andrija Živković followed on 89 for dissent, leaving Serbia with nine men. Klopp praised his side’s counter-pressing. Germany are level with Greece on 8 points, three behind the Netherlands. Serbia have lost all five games.
Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia
The first half was goalless. John McGinn broke the deadlock on 54 minutes, played through by Che Adams and finishing with his right foot. Elmin Rastoder equalised on 57, heading in Enes Bardhi’s corner. McGinn won it on 74 from the penalty spot after Ben Gannon-Doak was fouled by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski; the referee waved play on at first, then awarded the penalty after a VAR review. Billy Gilmour missed an open goal from eight yards. It was Sebastien Pocognoli’s first home win as Scotland head coach. McGinn’s 24th international goal moved him joint-third on Scotland’s all-time list with Hughie Gallacher, and Andy Robertson equalled Kenny Dalglish’s record of 102 caps. Scotland are seven points from five games, one behind Slovenia, and play group winners Switzerland on Monday in St Gallen.
Slovenia 0-0 Switzerland
The goalless draw left Switzerland five points clear and promoted from Group B1.
Results:
Netherlands 7 (Summerville 6’, Reijnders 12’, 18’, 33’, Timber 40’, 59’, Malen 61’), Greece 0.
Serbia 1 (Babić 56’), Germany 3 (Babić og 3’, Wirtz 14’, Gruda 50’). Red cards: Dragojević 76’, Živković 89’ (Serbia).
Scotland 2 (McGinn 54’, 74’ pen), North Macedonia 1 (Rastoder 57’).
Slovenia 0, Switzerland 0.
