Meerdink takes penalty for the Oranje after Gakpo injury

Mexx Meerdink became the hero of the Netherlands against Serbia on Sunday evening when he scored the penalty in the second half, giving the Netherlands the first three‑point win of the Nations League campaign. The 23‑year‑old AZ striker placed the ball precisely in the corner and thereby recorded his first international goal.

Penalty order and Gakpo injury

Meerdink was not first in the penalty order. The list had Gakpo at number one and him at number two, Meerdink said. After seventeen minutes Gakpo had to leave the field due to an injury and was replaced by Ruben van Bommel. Referee Szymon Marciniak then pointed resolutely to the spot.

The penalty came after a combination of Crysencio Summerville and Ryan Gravenberch, during which Summerville was brought down. The ball was awarded and Meerdink saw his chance. He took his composure, struck and placed the ball unerringly in the corner. With this he recorded his first goal for the Dutch national team.

Selection twists and personal milestone

Initially Meerdink was not in the squad, but an injury to Donyell Malen saw him called up. Then Brian Brobbey dropped out with an injury against Germany, which meant Meerdink started in the lineup for the first time against Serbia. He had appeared on Thursday as a debutant replacing Brobbey and a half‑week later was preferred over Joshua Zirkzee. With this goal he has overtaken his father Martijn Meerdink, who played one international on 1 March 2006 without scoring.

After the match Meerdink said he felt like he was in a dream. “Strikers live on goals. This is a big chance to score, so you have to create your composure and put the ball in,” he explained.

The goal gave the Netherlands the first three‑point win of the Nations League campaign. With the victory the Dutch strengthen their position in the Nations League group and build on the positive start of the campaign.