Netherlands beat strong team Belgium in Nations League action

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Netherlands got their Nations League campaign off on the right foot by thumping Belgium 4-1 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Friday.

Although Belgium looked to be in control early on, Romelu Lukaku's departure due to injury in the 27th minute swung momentum over to the visitors. It came as no surprise then when Steven Bergwijn opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the opening half. The Tottenham man collected the ball with his back to goal, before turning and firing an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner from 25 metres out.

It was a sign of things to come from the Netherlands, as Van Gaal's men took control of proceedings after the restart.

Memphis Depay doubled their advantage in the 51st minute after running onto Steven Berghuis pass and firing past Simon Mignolet.

The result was all but guaranteed 10 minutes later, with a Jasper Cillessen save kicking off a Dutch counter. Mignolet managed to save a shot from Berghuis, but Daley Blind followed up and rolled the ball across to Denzel Dumfries, who tapped home from close range.

The rout was completed when Depay added another, while Michy Batshuayi added a late consolation for the home side in injury time, as the Netherlands captured their first win over Belgium since 1997 in memorable fashion.

Simon Mignolet hopes Belgium can learn from their shock 4-1 defeat to the Netherlands, who outclassed the world's second-ranked team in Brussels.

The form book was on Belgium's side heading into their Nations League opener at home to the Oranje on Friday.

The Red Devils had not lost to their neighbours since September 1997 and had not lost to any side at home since September 2016.

But both of those runs came to an end as Belgium were blown away, with Mignolet – in for Champions League final hero Thibaut Courtois – left horribly exposed.

Nine of the Netherlands' 15 shots came over a 25-minute first-half stretch in which Belgium did not attempt one.

Steven Bergwijn netted the opener shortly after that onslaught, before Memphis Depay scored twice either side of a simple Denzel Dumfries finish in the second half.

It was the first time Belgium had conceded four goals at home since October 2010, but Mignolet had no complaints about the scoreline.

"There are no excuses for this defeat," the goalkeeper said. "You get the chance to play against the Netherlands and you have to grab that opportunity with both hands.

"In the run-up to the World Cup, tonight's game and the remaining matches in the Nations League were good opportunities to measure ourselves.

"We have to learn from this and take things forward to the preparations for the World Cup in Qatar."

The mood in the Dutch camp was rather more cheerful, as captain Virgil van Dijk told NOS: "It was a good win with good football. Everyone was good today.

"Steven Bergwijn in particular was excellent – they couldn't get a grip on him – but also Steven Berghuis and Frenkie de Jong. Actually, I can be positive about everyone. It was a great team performance.

"We did an excellent job, we forced them to make mistakes and we scored good goals."

Van Dijk came straight from playing against Courtois in the Champions League final and will now bring his long season to an end while the Netherlands turn their focus to further Nations League matches.

"It's time to recover," the centre-back added. "I'm going on holiday now and the rest can prepare for Wales [on Wednesday]."

Frenkie de Jong was back to his best during the Netherlands' rather surprising 4-1 win over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Friday night.

The Dutch midfielder, whose career at Barcelona could be nearing its end this summer as the Catalans need to sell, offered his take as to why he was able to play so well, stating that the national team's style was more suited to his strengths.

"I play very differently here than at Barcelona. I think this suits me much better," De Jong said to NOS.

De Jong's change of position :

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De Jong often failed to show the levels of performances that he has proven capable of during the recently-concluded season with Barcelona. A slight position change is thought to be a significant determining factor.

"I like to be the first player to receive the ball from the defenders and connect with the attack," De Jong stated.

Van Gaal's praise of De Jong

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal singled out De Jong's performance, piling praise onto both the the midfielder and his teammate Steven Bergwijn.