Nations League Wins: Netherlands Triumph Under Xavi, Gakpo Out

Nations League Wins: The Netherlands secured their first success in Belgrade under their new coach Xavi Hernández by beating Serbia 2-1 (1-0), but striker Cody Gakpo had to be substituted in the 17th minute due to an ankle injury after an early foul.

First win for Xavi

Virgil van Dijk (midfield) and his teammates celebrated the Oranje team's triumph in Belgrade. The report came via the agency EPA and was also published in the official app of the Dutch football association. Under the new coach Xavi Hernández this is the team's first win.

Gakpo injury and match progression

Striker Cody Gakpo, who had scored the 1-1 against Germany three days earlier, was fouled in the 17th minute by Sasa Lukic (12) and had to leave the field due to an ankle injury. Shortly after, Mexx Meerdink of AZ Alkmaar converted a penalty in the 30th minute to make it 1-0 for the Netherlands and repeated it in the 69th minute. The Serbian equaliser came from former Frankfurt player Luka Jovic in the 46th minute.

The game was marked by few clear scoring chances. Crysencio Summerville was fouled in the box, after which Meerdink took the penalty. Joey Veerman from Dortmund almost hit directly from a corner, but Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic‑Savic reacted quickly in the 36th minute.

Xavi aims to cement his role with the Netherlands vs Serbia in Belgrade

The Dutch dominated from the start, but converting the chances remained difficult. Despite the difficulties the visitors celebrated at the end, supported by a strong position in the Nations League group ranking.

Austria's sovereign triumph over Kosovo

Ralf Rangnick's Austrian side secured the second win in the Nations League at the Ernst-Happel-Stadium in Vienna by beating Kosovo 3-1 (2-0). Centre-back David Affengruber scored the first goal in the 23rd minute after a build-up by Romano Schmid, followed by Junior Adamu in stoppage time of the first half (45+2). In the second half Carney Chukwuemeka of Borussia Dortmund struck in the 61st minute, before Edon Zhegrova completed the scoring with a penalty in the 83rd minute.

With six points, Austria now sits at the top of Group B3. The lineup omitted established players such as World Cup captain David Alaba, which had little impact.

First Netherlands‑Serbia clash in Belgrade, Van Dijk nears 100 caps

While the Netherlands celebrate their first success under Xavi, concerns remain about Gakpo's availability for the upcoming Nations League matches; Austria, on the other hand, enjoys the boost from the dominant win.