UEFA Nations League: Xavi gets first win as Netherlands boss, Denmark beat Wales

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The Netherlands gave Xavi Hernandez his first win as head coach with a 2-1 Nations League victory over Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday, while Denmark saw off Wales.

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The Dutch were held to a 1-1 draw by Germany in Xavi’s bow on Thursday, but two goals from Mexx Meerdink were enough for them to get past a spirited Serbia and move to four points from two games in Group A2.

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The Oranje turned to Barcelona great Xavi after a disappointing World Cup last-32 exit at the hands of Morocco.

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Serbia passed up a good opportunity to take a 17th-minute lead when Dejan Joveljic could only shoot straight at Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen when completely unmarked inside the area.

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Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo then hobbled off injured in a blow to the Netherlands and was replaced by Ruben van Bommel.

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But Xavi’s men forged ahead on the half-hour mark as AZ Alkmaar striker Meerdink drilled in a penalty to score his first international goal after Aleksa Terzic fouled Crysencio Summerville.

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Serbia coach Veljko Paunovic brought on striker Luka Jovic at half-time and the change paid off almost immediately, as the former Real Madrid man turned the ball in following a goalmouth scramble less than a minute after the restart.

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But the visitors reclaimed the lead in the 69th minute as Meerdink, who made his Netherlands debut against Germany, fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner after being played in by substitute Guus Til.

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– Wales beaten again –

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Denmark bounced back from Thursday’s dramatic loss to Norway by seeing off Wales 2-0 in Copenhagen in Group A4.

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The Scandinavians, who missed out on the World Cup with a penalty shoot-out defeat by the Czech Republic in the play-offs, have now won their last four meetings with Wales.

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Home forward Gustav Isaksen had a first-half strike ruled out for offside, before Mikkel Damsgaard rattled a shot off the post.

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The hosts went ahead eight minutes into the second period, though, when Wales skipper Ben Davies diverted Damsgaard’s free-kick into his own net with his arm, under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund.

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Denmark doubled their advantage 13 minutes later when Isaksen’s deflected shot spun in off the crossbar after Wales, who lost their opener to Portugal, again failed to deal with a set-piece.

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In League B, Austria made it two wins from two as David Affengruber, Junior Adamu and Carney Chukwuemeka scored in a 3-1 win over Kosovo in Vienna.

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Later, Ireland take on Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, after a late decision to fulfil the fixture despite unease over the war in Gaza.

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Since Ireland were drawn in the same Nations League group as Israel, prominent Irish figures including sportspeople, fan groups and pro-Palestinian campaigners have protested against the ties going ahead.

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Ireland’s designated home match against Israel on October 4 has been moved from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Backa Topola, Serbia, following concerns over disruption and security.

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AFP

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