Striker recruited by Man Utd for a fee of 46 million USD, Joshua Zirkzee contributed one goal and one assist to help the Netherlands beat Bosnia 5-2 in the first round of the Nations League group stage.

Final result Netherlands vs Bosnia (5-2)

Scored: Zirkzee 13′, Reijnders 45’+2′, Gakpo 56′, Weghorst 88′, Simons 90’+2 – Demirovic 27′, Dzeko 73′.

The Netherlands are ranked seventh in the FIFA rankings, while Bosnia is ranked 75th. The home team also has an overwhelming force with seven Premier League players starting, including Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Nathan Ake (Man City), Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee (Man Utd), Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo (Liverpool).

 

This is the third time in history that the Netherlands have started with seven players from a league other than the Eredivisie, after against Estonia on 2 June 2001 with seven La Liga players and Bulgaria on 7 October 2006 with seven Premier League players.

 

The difference in class was clearly shown at Philips Stadium, Eindhoven on September 7, when the Netherlands controlled the ball 76%, had 28 shots and nine on target – compared to 4 and 3 of the visitors.

In the 13th minute, Xavi Simons’ shot from outside the box hit a Bosnian player and the ball flew into the penalty area. Zirkzee chose the landing spot and headed the ball back into the far corner, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.

For the second time in history, the Netherlands scored in 26 consecutive home games, after a streak of 26 games between 1953 and 1961.

Zirkzee continued to make his mark in the second minute of injury time with a central pass to Tijjani Reijnders.

The AC Milan midfielder charged straight into the box and fired a low shot into the Bosnian net. Zirkzee contributed a goal and an assist on his debut for the Netherlands, becoming only the fourth player to achieve this feat after Klaas Jan Huntelaar in 2006, Bas Dost in 2015 and Vincent Janssen in 2016.

Yesterday’s match also witnessed a special moment when Jurrien Timber and Quinten Timber replaced Nathan Ake and Jerdy Schouten in the 66th and 83rd minutes respectively. This is the first time the Netherlands have had two brothers playing in the same match since Frank and Ronald de Boer on April 2, 2003. Jurrien is playing for Arsenal in the Premier League, while Quinten plays for his home club Feyenoord.