Netherlands beat Belgium to Nations League semifinals – Football

The Netherlands continued their strong run of form with a 1-0 victory over rivals Belgium. Louis van Gaal’s side are now unbeaten in 15 games, their best run since 2013, while the victory booked them a place in the UEFA Nations League finals next June.

The game’s first chance went Belgium’s way, as Amadou Onana broke down the right before cutting back to Eden Hazard, but he blazed his shot over the bar. Belgium continued to play on the front foot in their search for the opening goal as Kevin De Bruyne played through Michy Batshuayi, but the striker could only hit a soft shot into the hands of Remko Pasveer.

The Red Devils went close again through Axel Witsel, but the midfielder’s outstretched leg couldn’t steer the ball beyond Pasveer following Kevin De Bruyne’s floated ball into the box. Next, Timothy Castagne capitalized on a poor touch from Denzel Dumfries before lashing his shot over the bar.

The Netherlands started the second half more aggressively than they had played in the first and created an early chance as a result, as Dumfries charged into the box before shooting across the face of the goal and narrowly missing the far corner.

 The Red Devils went close to taking the lead after a great ball into the box from De Bruyne was met by Onana, but a fantastic save from Pasveer denied the Everton midfielder.

Instead, van Gaal’s side took the lead through Virgil Van Dijk, the center-back heading home Cody Gakpo’s corner. The Netherlands almost doubled their lead shortly after Steven Bergwijn struck a thunderous shot into the side netting from close range. 

The game began to open up after the goal, and Belgium almost netted an equalizer as a result, but Castagne drilled his shot just wide of the far post after being played in by Toby Alderweireld. The Netherlands almost got a second in the game’s dying moments, but Thibaut Courtois denied Bergwijn.