Netherlands 7-0 Greece: Oranje all but secure quarter-final spot

The Netherlands all, however, secured their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League in style as Tijjani Reijnders scored a first-half hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of Greece.

The Netherlands and Greece went into the game level on points at the top of Group A2, and the visitors would have qualified for the knockout rounds with a win.

Xavi’s Dutch side needed a late equalizer to earn a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture, but they absolutely dominated in Amsterdam as Greece saw their progression hopes hit hard, with Germany matching Ivan Jovanovic’s men with a 3-1 win over Serbia.

They took the lead through Crysencio Summerville when he fired home on six minutes after Greece lost possession in their own half.

Reijnders then fired his first into the roof of the net to make it 2-0, and doubled his tally with a simple finish from close range after Donyell Malen had hooked the ball across goal.

Fotis Ioannidis saw a goal ruled out at the other end, the Greek striker slotting into an empty net after winning a challenge from the onrushing Bart Verbruggen, but handling the ball as he controlled it.

And Greece’s frustration was compounded when Reijnders put the game beyond doubt in the 33rd minute, sliding his third in at the far post from Jurrien Timber’s cross following a superb pass from Joey Veerman that sent the Arsenal full-back wide on the right.

Timber then made it 5-0 when he converted from the excellent Malen’s right-wing cross, and doubled their tally just before the hour mark with a Denzel Dumfries cross at the far post.

Malen then got the goal his performance deserved as his shot was too powerful for Konstantinos Tzolakis and stayed in the far corner.

Greece eventually managed to stem the tide, but will now need a favor from the Netherlands. If Germany beat Xavi’s men, Greece’s result against Serbia will be essentially irrelevant. If the top three teams end up tied on 11 points, Greece’s now much lower goal difference in the games between the trio will see them miss out on the last 16.

The UEFA Nations League table

Upcoming matches for Holland and Greece