Netherlands will not be in the final four of the UEFA Nations League despite coming from behind to defeat Poland 2-1.

Frank de Boer made changes to the side that defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina at the weekend with Donyell Malen, Hans Hateboer, Patrick van Aanholt, and Calvin Stengs all coming into the starting line-up. Memphis Depay was also once again the most central attacker with Luuk de Jong dropping to the bench.

Netherlands got off to a poor start when Kamil Jozwiak fired Poland ahead in the fifth minute after a fine solo goal.

After that, Poland hit the post, but it was Netherlands that created the most chances, without finding an equaliser before the break. Malen headed a great chance wide, while Memphis and Frenkie de Jong were also guilty of some poor finishing.

Poland made a strong start to the second half, but Netherlands withstood it and the visitors began creating chances again. Lukasz Fabianski denied Memphis with a fingertip save, while Hateboer could not connect to a free-kick.

De Boer rang the changes with Owen Wijndal, Donny van de Beek and Steven Berghuis coming on, and they worked. In the 76th minute, Wijnaldum was brought down in the box and Memphis equalised from the penalty spot.

Seven minutes later, Netherlands had the lead as Wijnaldum headed a Berghuis corner into the net. That was the winning goal as Netherlands ended 2020 with a victory.

However, Italy defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the group’s other game and they go into the Nations League final four.




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