Van Dijk and Reijnders rescue Netherlands draw in Greece

The Netherlands came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Greece in Thessaloniki on Thursday, Virgil van Dijk and substitute Tijjani Reijnders striking either side of the interval turnaround as Xavi's side preserved their unbeaten start to Nations League Group A2. Greece, who led through Fotis Ioannidis and Giorgos Masouras, also remain unbeaten.

The evening was soured for the hosts by the loss of Christos Tzolis, who was forced off in the 18th minute and whose replacement went on to score.

Tzolis injury and Greek control

Tzolis, who had started all five of Arsenal's Premier League games this season, pulled up during an attack. He wanted to play on but was replaced by Masouras in the 18th minute.

The hosts had begun brightly and took the lead when Ioannidis finished tidily. He then turned provider, setting up Masouras for Greece's second goal to give them a 2-0 lead at the break.

Greece had already won away to Germany and Serbia in this campaign, and their control of the first half was built on a compact shape that limited the Dutch to long-range efforts.

Xavi's half-time changes

The Netherlands boss made a triple substitution at the interval, introducing Ryan Gravenberch, Noa Lang and Tijjani Reijnders, and the changes immediately shifted the pattern of the game.

Reijnders was introduced in place of Guus Til and soon had his side level. Van Dijk, marking his 99th cap, had already given the Dutch hope with a headed goal, and it was Reijnders who completed the comeback, lashing the ball into the net late on.

Greece, who had been comfortable, were suddenly chasing the game, and Konstantinos Tzolakis was called into action repeatedly as the Dutch pressed.

Late chances for both sides

With five minutes of added time announced, both sides still pushed for a winner. Gjivai Zechiël came on for Jurriën Timber and twice went close, his header from the centre of the box saved by Tzolakis before a right-footed effort from the same area was blocked.

Joshua Zirkzee also saw a header from the centre of the box saved in the bottom right corner by Tzolakis, assisted by Lang with a cross. Joey Veerman fired a right-footed shot from outside the box wide, and Denzel Dumfries sent an effort high and wide before van Dijk headed against the right post from Veerman's corner.

Van Dijk himself had a header from the centre of the box miss to the right, again from a Veerman cross following a corner. Greece, meanwhile, made late changes of their own, bringing on Giannis Michailidis and Tasos Douvikas, and Manolis Saliakas was booked for a foul.

What the result means

The draw keeps both sides unbeaten in Group A2. Greece remain top on seven points from three games, with the Netherlands second on five, Germany third on four and Serbia bottom without a point. The top two in each League A group qualify for the quarter-finals.

For the Netherlands, the point extends their unbeaten run, having already drawn with Germany and won away to Serbia. Greece's win over Germany earlier in the window was their third of the campaign.

Tzolis becomes the second Arsenal forward to be injured during the international break against the Netherlands, after Germany's Kai Havertz suffered a setback last week.

SportsLigue