Netherlands' Crysencio Summerville in action with Greece's Vangelis Pavlidis and Thanasis Androutsos during their UEFA Nations League Group A2 match at Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki, Greece.
THESSALONIKI--The Netherlands completed a dramatic second-half comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Greece in their UEFA Nations League Group A2 clash on Thursday.
Goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Giorgos Masouras gave the hosts an early advantage, but Virgil van Dijk and a late strike from Tijjani Reijnders ensured Xavi Hernandez's visitors salvaged a vital point.
Greece started the fixture brightly and took the lead after 23 minutes. Konstantinos Tzolakis launched a long ball forward, which substitute Masouras flicked into the path of Ioannidis, who finished calmly.
Just before the half-time whistle, the pair combined again. A sloppy mistake in the Dutch midfield allowed Ioannidis to intercept the loose ball and pick out Masouras, who prodded home to give his side a shock 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Xavi had to rally his players, who dominated possession with over 70 per cent of the ball, and they responded strongly in the second half. The Netherlands found a crucial lifeline in the 59th minute when Joey Veerman delivered a precise corner. Van Dijk rose highest to thump a powerful header past Tzolakis.
The visitors thought they had quickly equalised, but Denzel Dumfries saw his close-range effort ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR review. Dumfries also saw a second goal ruled offside minutes later.
Despite the frustrating setback, the Dutch continued to press for an equaliser as the clock ticked down. Their relentless pressure paid off in the 89th minute when Noa Lang floated a dangerous cross into the box. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee flicked the ball on, allowing Reijnders to volley home from close range.
The result leaves Greece sitting at the top of Group A2 with seven points, while the Netherlands remain in second place with five points, just ahead of third-placed Germany on four points.
