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Dutch media spot what stood out about Virgil van Dijk despite Netherlands’ loss vs Spain in the Nations League
It was a night to forget for Virgil van Dijk as the Netherlands lost to Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League after a 3-3 draw between both sides after extra-time.
The Liverpool centre-back managed to score his spot-kick durin🍒g the shootout as well but ultimately, it was no avail as Pedri eventually won Spain the contest with his winning pಌenalty.
Virgil van Dijk would have be🧸en hoping to 💜captain the Netherlands to a place in the semi-finals after having beaten the reigning European champions.
But Van Dijk has experienced hisও Dutch side fail to deliver on far too many instances and Sunday night was no different — despite Ronald Koeman’s side showcasing they are heading in the right direction with a valiant dis🐓play against Spain.
From a personal point of view꧋, the 32-year-old would have been frustrated to witness him being a part of a defence that conceded three goals💛.
Virgil van Dijk left Dutch media impressed during Spain vs Netherlands
However, how Netherlands’ defence fares is not solely reliant on Van Dijk’s expertise but it could be argued that he was par𝔉tially cuplable for Mikel Oyarzabal’s second goal.
The Champions League winner was marking Oyarzabal before deciding to leave him free in the box to pick 🌞his spot and double his side’s lead.
But the Real Sociedad winger’s opener was down to a rash challenge from Jan Paul van Hecke while Lamine Yamal’s late strike can be blamed on shoddy defending from Ian Maatsen to let him cut inside on his favoured left foot and 🍒go for goal.
However, the Dutch media were impressed by Van Dijk’s display against Spain, with handing him a 7.5/10 match rating an💮d praising his captain-like performance: “
“The captain took responsibility and successfully took care of the first penalty in the series. Van Dijk played a good match in Valencia. Especially when the Dutch team played deep in the Spaniards’ half, he was const𓆉antly the man who neutralized the long ball from the European champions. Perhaps he could have defended the goal line at Oyarzabal’s 2-1 when [Bart] Verbruggen managed to stop the Spaniard’s first attempt, ꦍalthough he would have had to act very quickly.”
also gave the in-form defender a 7/5/10 rating for his leadership at the back: “A very captain-like performance from Van Dijk, who led the team well frಌom the back. The defence wꦺas open at times but Van Dijk dealt with a number of situations well.”
While outlet rated Van Dijk’s display atꦚ a m🦂atch-high 8/10.
- READ MORE: How Virgil van Dijk fe൲els about his future at Liverpool after losing the Carabao🧸 Cup final
Virgil van Dijk stats for Netherlands vs Spain in Nations League
Against Spain, Van Dijk’s statistics certainly ꦦmade for mixed reading reading.
The former𓆉 Southampton centre-back made eigꦯht clearances, two blocks and two interceptions.
However, Van Dijk lost four of his six duels and was dribbled past two t✃imes as well.
| VIRGIL VAN DIJK STATS VS SPAIN | |
| CLEARANCES | 8 |
| BLOCKS | 2 |
| INTERCEPTIONS | 2 |
| DUELS WON | 2/6 |
| DRIBBLED PAST | 2 |