The Dutch national team won its last group match in the Nations League on Wednesday. The team of national coach Frank de Boer fell behind Poland very early on, after the defense was completely split up. The the Dutch had a tough time, but continued to believe in the victory and was rewarded for it. In the final phase, a penalty from Memphis Depay and a header from Georginio Wijnaldum led to a 1-2 victory. The Netherlands finishes second in the group with Italy’s victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina (0-2) and does not go to the Final Four.

Already in the sixth minute, the the Dutch fell behind. Hans Hateboer’s loss of possession led to a razor-sharp counter from Poland. Kamil Jozwiak ran away over the left flank and Davy Klaassen finally out, after which the midfielder also cut out Daley Blind in the sixteen and coldly placed the ball next to goalkeeper Tim Krul: 1-0. The Netherlands got three big chances immediately afterwards: Depay and Wijnaldum ran into goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in their one-on-one duel, while Donyell Malen aimed a huge chance at the header.

On the other side of the field, Przemyslaw Placheta broke through on the right side of the field, after which the attacker fired the ball into the short corner on the post. An open game remained: Calvin Stengs bounced the ball beautifully to Wijnaldum, who shot high from the air. A beautiful long ball from Blind reached Depay who broke through, but the the Dutch striker needed too much time to control the ball. Malen released Frenkie de Jong for Fabianski, who saved with his foot.

It also went both ways in the second half. Placheta was sufficiently hindered by De Vrij at a great shooting opportunity to force him to take a shot just wide, while Krul reacted alertly to a dangerous cross by Arkadiusz Reca. Hateboer just missed a free kick by Depay at the far post and moments later the latter saw a low shot well turned by Fabianski. A few minutes later, Depay turned fantastic away from Mateusz Klich, but Klaassen shot the ball from his cross into the side net.

the Dutch reported more and more for Poland’s goal. Depay headed the ball over the crossbar, but Wijnaldum had already been offside in the run-up and was whistled back. Fifteen minutes before the end, the Netherlands received a penalty after Wijnaldum was slightly pushed in the back by Jan Bednarek. Depay went behind the ball and rammed the penalty hard into the intersection: 1-1. De Boer made an offensive change: Luuk de Jong replaced Blind. Shortly afterwards, Wijnaldum headed the winning home from a corner kick by Steven Berghuis, another substitute: 1-2.