Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Bosnia H'vina1 - 1Netherlands

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 November 2024, 21:40
Netherlands have failed to round off their UEFA Nations League group stage campaign with a win, being held to a 1-1 draw by already-relegated Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica this evening.

Brian Brobbey had put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, beating Tarik Muharemovic in the air to nod home from Noa Lang's inswinging delivery, scoring his first international goal in the process.

However, after being more of a threat following half time, Bosnia found an equaliser with roughly a quarter of the game remaining, with Ermedin Demirovic converting on the rebound after Mark Flekken had kept Edin Dzeko's initial effort out.

The visitors were dominant throughout the first half, and on debut, Bosnia keeper Martin Zlomislic kept out Dutch skipper Stefan de Vrij's powerful effort early on.

Joshua Zirkzee also should have doubled the lead late in the first period but squandered an opportunity with the goal gaping, and they were handed warning signs when Dzeko was denied shortly after the interval and then had a goal disallowed for offside.

Following the equaliser though, the Dutch barely threatened the Bosnian goal despite the introduction of Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen and Wout Weghorst from the bench, and Jorrel Hato's late effort sailed a long way over the bar with the game ending level.

After restoring some pride following a 7-0 loss in Germany at the weekend, this result still means that Bosnia remain winless in all of their 12 League A matches in the Nations League, and are winless in their last 12 matches in all competitions.

The shape of Group A3 was already known before this evening's matches, as Bosnia's relegation to League B had been confirmed, and the Dutch knew they would be finishing second behind Germany.

That means Ronald Koeman's side will be drawn against one of France, Portugal or Spain, and will play the second leg away, in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA VS. NETHERLANDS HIGHLIGHTS

Brobbey goal vs. Bosnia (24th min, Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Netherlands)

The mounting Dutch pressure has finally told, as Lang's excellent left-wing delivery is met by Brobbey, who outjumps Muharemovic to beat Zlomislic in the Bosnian goal from inside the six-yard box.

Demirovic goal vs. Netherlands (67th min, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Netherlands)

Finally something for the Bosnians to cheer! Some excellent quick passing on the left flank between Samed Bazdar, Dzenis Burnic and Demirovic eventually sets up Dzeko, and after Flekken keeps out his well-struck effort, the Stuttgart man is on hand to nod home from close range on the rebound.

MAN OF THE MATCH - ERMEDIN DEMIROVIC

The Dutch looked impressive in the first half, but sluggish in the second, and as one part of a three-pronged attacked, Demirovic spearheaded the Bosnia fightback, being first to react on the rebound to score the equaliser which ultimately decided the outcome of the match.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA VS. NETHERLANDS MATCH STATS

Possession: Bosnia-Herzegovina 36% - 64% Netherlands

Shots: Bosnia-Herzegovina 8 - 12 Netherlands

Shots on target: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 - 2 Netherlands

Corners: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 - 5 Netherlands

Fouls: Bosnia-Herzegovina 17 - 11 Netherlands

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Netherlands will discover their next opponents - either France, Spain or Portugal - in the quarter-finals of the Nations League when the draw is made on Friday in Nyon.

Bosnia's relegation means they will go straight into 2026 World Cup qualifying in the spring, and that draw will be made in Zurich in December.

Top News

3 January 2025 talksport.com Everyone loves a 'Cupset' and it doesn't get much bigger than knocking out the biggest club of all: Real Madrid. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa play host to Leicester City on Saturday afternoon looking to end a 21-year streak. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Campos de Sport de El Sardinero will play host to an intriguing clash in the Copa del Rey on Sunday afternoon, as Segunda Division outfit Racing de Santander welcome La Liga team Celta Vigo. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newport County and Morecambe meet on Sunday in what could prove to be an important match in the lower echelons of League Two. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Napoli are showing an interest in Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, talkSPORT understands. 3 January 2025 talksport.com Plymouth Argyle have reportedly abandoned plans to make a documentary about their season after sacking Wayne Rooney as manager. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by three points in the Serie A standings, Lecce and Genoa will both aim to pull further clear of danger when they meet on Sunday. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is now open and Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney could soon be heading for the exit door. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad will be aiming to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey when they take on third-tier outfit Ponferradina on Sunday afternoon. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Northern nemeses collide in Sunday's Premier League main event at Anfield, where title favourites Liverpool welcome a meek Manchester United to their Merseyside home. 3 January 2025 talksport.com The Old Firm derby is the biggest rivalry in Britain - all others are miles off the intensity. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is now open and this month is set to be an important one for a number of clubs, none more so than Manchester City who are expected to be active during a period when they have traditionally been quiet. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga's basement side Real Valladolid will be bidding to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey when they head to third-tier outfit Ourense CF on Sunday. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Kai Havertz to be available for the Gunners' Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have announced that Aaron Anselmino has been recalled from his loan spell at Boca Juniors. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified a Premier League goalkeeper as a potential January transfer target. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly had no contact with AC Milan over a move for striker Darwin Nunez in the January transfer window. 3 January 2025 talksport.com It's 2025, which means the January transfer window is open, but the clock is already ticking as teams look to strengthen their squads. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After both ended 2024 with four straight Serie A defeats, relegation rivals Monza and Cagliari will vie for victory in their year-opening fixture on Sunday. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford is reportedly holding out for a 'dream' transfer to a European giant after turning down three approaches from Saudi Pro League clubs. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe have one final chance to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Caykur Rizespor vs. Besiktas (Friday, 5.00pm) Besiktas square off against Caykur Rizespor on Friday evening looking for the win that would move the club into fourth place in the Super Lig table. 3 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pontevedra vs. Mallorca (Friday, 6.00pm) Mallorca will be aiming to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey when they tackle Pontevedra CF on Friday evening. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race to sign AC Milan defender and ex-Chelsea man Fikayo Tomori as Ange Postecoglou seeks solutions to his side's defensive crisis. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Having endured a rough end to 2024, Moreirense and AVS will both be hopeful of improved fortunes in the new year as they kick off 2025 with a meeting at Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Saturday. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are supposedly giving consideration to an audacious swap deal involving wantaway striker Marcus Rashford and Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly made two demands of the Reds if he is to snub Real Madrid and sign a new deal at Anfield. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lyon and Montpellier HSC lock horns for the 60th time in Ligue 1 on Saturday, with the hosts seeking a 30th win against their upcoming opponents. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Preston North End are set to welcome Oxford United on Saturday to Deepdale in their 26th Championship game of the season. 2 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford manager Thomas Frank remains without three of his first-choice central defenders ahead of their trip to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.