The Netherlands delivered a monumental statement in Amsterdam on Friday by routing Greece 7-0 in their Nations League Group A2 fixture. The emphatic victory equals the biggest winning margin in the eight-year history of the competition.
Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring in the sixth minute before the hosts ran riot. Tijjani Reijnders tore apart the Greek defence to score three times in a devastating 21-minute spell, while Jurrien Timber grabbed two goals and Donyell Malen added a seventh to complete the demolition.
The hosts were 5-0 ahead by half-time following a series of slick team moves. Reijnders celebrated his treble by beaming and holding up three fingers to the home crowd, marking his second hat-trick in the space of two weeks after also scoring three for his Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah at the end of last month.
"It's amazing, especially scoring a hat-trick for the national team," Reijnders told UEFA. "So I'm very happy. This is what we've been training for, and today it went very well."
Netherlands captain Frenkie de Jong highlighted the clinical nature of their attacking play. "I certainly enjoyed it. I hope everyone did, including the people at home," De Jong noted. "I think we were very effective. We kept getting into good positions to create chances and goals."
New head coach Xavi was equally delighted but urged his squad to maintain their focus. "The first half was amazing, so I have to congratulate the players. But it's just one game. We need to continue like this," he said.
The result ensures the Netherlands remain unbeaten under Xavi. They join England, Germany and Finland as the only nations to win a match in the competition by seven goals.
The heavy defeat was a massive setback for a Greece side that had previously been unbeaten in the competition. It was the first time they had conceded seven goals since a World Cup qualifier against Denmark in May 1989.
The top two teams in Group A2 will advance to the quarter-finals. The Netherlands currently lead the group, sitting three points ahead of both Greece and Jurgen Klopp's Germany ahead of Monday's crucial fixtures in Berlin.
Brief scores: Netherlands 7 (Summerville 6', Reijnders 3, Timber 2, Malen) beat Greece 0.
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