Reijnders rescues Netherlands with 89th-minute equaliser in Greece

Late Reijnders strike completes Dutch comeback

The Netherlands came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Greece, as Tijjani Reijnders volleyed home an 89th-minute equaliser at Stadio Toumbas.

Greece appeared poised for a third straight Nations League win after first-half goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Giorgos Masouras. The hosts had an early strike by Christos Tzolis ruled out for offside, with Vangelis Pavlidis judged to have obstructed goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s view. Tzolis was then forced off injured.

His replacement, Masouras, helped break the deadlock in the 23rd minute, flicking on for Ioannidis to run through and curl past Verbruggen. Greece doubled its advantage in first-half stoppage time: Ioannidis intercepted a blind back pass from Ruben van Bommel and squared for Masouras to finish from close range.

Van Dijk leads Dutch response

The Netherlands emerged with greater urgency after the break. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back in the 59th minute, powering a header into the net from Joey Veerman’s floated corner.

Denzel Dumfries had two potential equalising goals ruled out for offside. The Dutch kept pressing, and after Konstantinos Mavropanos blocked Gjivai Zechiel’s acrobatic attempt from a Noa Lang cross, Reijnders pounced on the loose ball and volleyed past Konstantinos Tzolakis.

Greece’s second-half retreat proves costly

Greece’s attacking threat faded after the interval. The report’s expected-goals figures put 0.93 of the hosts’ 0.95 xG in the first half; Greece managed just one shot after the break, while the Netherlands had 14.

The draw keeps both sides unbeaten in Group A2: the Netherlands have one win and two draws, while Greece have two wins and a draw. Greece remain top of the group, but the Dutch once again found a late goal to avoid defeat.