Mexx Meerdink Shines with Two Goals in Netherlands’ 2-1 Win Over Serbia
Mexx Meerdink, the 23-year-old striker from AZ, turned a childhood dream into reality by scoring twice in his full international debut. The Netherlands secured a 2-1 victory over Serbia in the UEFA Nations League at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, with Meerdink stepping up following an injury to Brian Brobbey.
A Calm Start and a Winning Finish
Coach Xavi Hernández handed Meerdink a starting role due to Brobbey’s withdrawal. The forward opened the scoring with a composed penalty in the first half after Crysencio Summerville was fouled. Although Luka Jović leveled early in the second half for Serbia, Meerdink sealed the win with a sliding finish from a pass by Guus Til in the 78th minute. This marked the Netherlands’ first victory of the Nations League campaign.
Reflections on a Memorable Week
"It is a childhood dream," Meerdink said. "Everything has happened so quickly this week. I felt a little pressure before the penalty, but to score twice and help the team win feels great."
Meerdink spoke about his journey from being a substitute against Germany to becoming the match-winner in Belgrade, emphasizing the joy of contributing to the team's three points.
Praise for Work Rate and Team Effort
Beyond scoring, Meerdink earned praise from Xavi for his tireless defensive work and pressing. Positioned as the main striker, he disrupted Serbia’s buildup while connecting well with teammates Joey Veerman and Guus Til. Xavi also confirmed that Meerdink is the second-choice penalty taker behind Cody Gakpo, showing trust in his abilities.
Looking Ahead to Greece
The Dutch squad now shifts focus to their upcoming Nations League match against group leaders Greece in Thessaloniki on October 1. Meerdink aims to build on his performance and keep his spot in the starting lineup. Serbia will host the Netherlands again in Eindhoven for the return fixture on Sunday, where Meerdink hopes to continue his scoring run for Oranje.
- Match: Serbia 1 - 2 Netherlands
- Date: 28 September 2026
- Venue: Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade
- Goals: Mexx Meerdink (penalty, 1st half), Mexx Meerdink (sliding finish, 78th minute); Luka Jović (Serbia)
- Next Fixture: Greece vs Netherlands, 1 October 2026, 21:45 CET
