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Netherlands beat Iceland 2-0 in their final warm-up match ahead of the upcoming European Championship courtesy of goals from Xavi Simons, Virgil van Dijk, Donyell Malen and Wout Weghorst.
The Dutch begin their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany against Poland and completed their preparations in comfortable fashion in Rotterdam. They will head to Euro 2024 without Frenkie de Jong due to injury.
Netherlands concluded their Euro 2024 preparations with a commanding 4-0 victory over Iceland.
Xavi Simons gave Ronald Koeman’s side a half-time lead, while Virgil van Dijk, Donyell Malen and Wout Weghorst were on target in the second half at Stadion Feijenoord.
The hosts broke the deadlock midway through the first half as Joey Veerman and Denzel Dumfries neatly combined to set up Simons for a close-range tap-in.
Van Dijk doubled the lead four minutes after the restart, the skipper nodding home from inside the six-yard box after Nathan Ake helped a corner into his path.
Substitute Malen put the result beyond doubt in the 79th minute, latching onto Memphis Depay’s through ball and slotting past Hakon Valdimarsson.
Depay was denied following a VAR review soon after, but the Dutch did get their fourth goal six minutes from time. Malen turned provider as he sprung the offside trap before unselfishly squaring for Weghorst to put the icing on the cake.
TALKING POINT – THE FUTURE IS ORANJE AS THE DUTCH MARCH TOWARDS EURO 2024 IN FINE FETTLE
With their Euro 2024 campaign beginning against Poland on Sunday, it is safe to say the Dutch are in good shape.
The Oranje have now won six of their last seven matches – including each of their last three at home by a 4-0 scoreline – and appear to be hitting form at just the right time.
Although Koeman made nine changes to the side that started the 4-0 victory over Canada on Thursday, the outcome remained constant.
It was another comfortable win for the Dutch, who outshot their opponents 22-3 and had an xG of 2.79 compared to just 0.09 for Iceland.
France are expected to pose Netherlands’ biggest challenge in Group D, but Les Bleus will certainly be wary as the 1988 European champions will certainly arrive with their tails up.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JOEY VEERMAN (NETHERLANDS)
With Frenkie de Jong ruled out of Euro 2024, Veerman staked his claim to step up in the Barcelona man’s absence with an all-action display in the middle of the park.
The PSV Eindhoven midfielder helped get the ball rolling for the Dutch with a tremendous diagonal ball for Dumfries to help across the area for Simons to break the deadlock.
Veerman led the way with game-high tallies for final-third entries (15), chances created (six), touches (87), crosses (10) and tackles.
He also won possession the joint-most times (five, level with Dumfries), while only De Vrij (72) completed more passes (60).
PLAYER RATINGS
Netherlands: Verbruggen 7, Dumfries 8, De Vrij 7, Van Dijk 8, Ake 7, Reijnders 7, Schouten 7, Veerman 9*, Simons 8, Depay 8, Gakpo 7. Subs: Van de Ven 6, Wijnaldum 6, Geertruida 6, Malen 8, Frimpong 7, Weghorst 8.
Iceland: Valdimarsson 7, Bjarkason 6, Fridriksson 6, Ingason 6, Finnsson 6, Traustason 5, Haraldsson 6, Gudmundsson 6, Anderson 6, Gudjohnsen 5, Thorsteinsson 6. Subs: Thordarson 7, Sigurdsson 6, Johannesson 6, Hlynsson N/A, Bjarnason N/A.
