Match Centre

The Netherlands' victory was deserved, albeit narrowly, as they controlled the game with 65% possession and created more chances, reflected in their 22 total shots compared to Serbia's 14. The Dutch were clinical when it mattered, converting two of their seven shots on target, including Teun Koopmeiners' opener in the 31st minute and Joshua Zirkzee's winner in the 72nd minute. Serbia, despite their limited possession, showed efficiency, scoring from one of their four shots on target through Mihajlo Cvetkovic in the 35th minute.

Tactically, the Netherlands' dominance in midfield, evidenced by their 541 accurate passes, allowed them to sustain pressure and dictate the tempo. Serbia's defensive approach, with five at the back, kept them competitive but ultimately fell short due to the Netherlands' superior creativity and shot volume. The Dutch also won more corners (6-4), indicating their ability to exploit wide areas and maintain territorial advantage.

The decisive factor was the Netherlands' ability to convert their dominance into tangible chances, with their 14 shots inside the box underscoring their attacking intent and control of crucial areas. Serbia's discipline was an issue, as they picked up four yellow cards, further complicating their defensive efforts.