Xavi Hernandez, the new Netherlands head coach, has earned his first victory in charge of the team. On Sunday, the Dutch defeated Serbia 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League. This win comes after a 1-1 draw against Germany on Thursday, which marked Xavi's debut as Netherlands coach. The match against Serbia was a significant improvement, with two goals from Mexx Meerdink securing the win.
Mexx Meerdink was the star of the match, scoring both goals for the Netherlands. He put the team ahead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after Aleksa Terzic fouled Crysencio Summerville. However, Serbia levelled shortly after half-time through Luka Jovic, who reacted quickest following a goalmouth scramble. The visitors restored their lead in the 69th minute when Meerdink collected a pass from substitute Guus Til before firing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The victory moved the Netherlands to four points from two matches in Group A2, while Serbia remained without a point. Xavi's first win as Netherlands coach is a significant milestone, and the team will look to build on this momentum in their future matches. The Netherlands has a strong squad, and Xavi's experience as a player and coach will be crucial in their quest for success.
In Group A4, Denmark bounced back from their 3-2 defeat to Norway in the opening round by defeating Wales 2-0. The match was played in Copenhagen, and Denmark took the lead eight minutes into the second half when Wales captain Ben Davies turned Mikkel Damsgaard's free-kick into his own net while under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund.
Gustav Isaksen then doubled Denmark's advantage 13 minutes later with a deflected effort that went in off the crossbar. The result gave Denmark their fourth consecutive victory over Wales, who had also lost their opening Nations League match to Portugal. Denmark's win is a significant boost to their chances of progressing in the tournament.
The UEFA Nations League is an important competition for European teams, and the results from this weekend will have a significant impact on the standings. The Netherlands and Denmark have taken significant steps towards progressing in the tournament, while Serbia and Wales will look to bounce back from their defeats. The competition is heating up, and teams will need to be at their best to succeed.
The matches were reported by Elizabeth Otitodun for the Daily Times of Nigeria on 27 September 2026. The results from the UEFA Nations League will have a significant impact on the teams' preparations for future matches. The Netherlands and Denmark will look to build on their momentum, while Serbia and Wales will seek to regroup and bounce back from their defeats.
Key points
- Xavi Hernandez earns first win as Netherlands head coach, defeating Serbia 2-1.
- Denmark beats Wales 2-0 in Group A4 of the UEFA Nations League.
- The Netherlands moves to four points from two matches in Group A2.
