Serbia and the Netherlands meet at Stadion Rajko Mitic in Belgrade on Sunday afternoon in a UEFA Nations League match where both teams are seeking their first victories of the campaign.
Serbia enters the contest reeling from a last-minute defeat to Greece on Thursday, when Arsenal midfielder Christos Tzolis and Como forward Anastasios Douvikas scored second-half goals to overturn an early lead. PAOK winger Andrija Zivkovic had put Serbia ahead in the fourth minute, but the hosts could not hold on. According to the source, this loss extends Serbia’s difficult run to three straight defeats, following friendly losses to Cape Verde (0-3) and Mexico (1-5) earlier in the year.
Serbia head coach Veljko Paunovic faces mounting pressure, having won just two of his seven matches in charge. The team is struggling defensively, currently on a 10-game run without a clean sheet dating back to September 2025. Serbia’s task is complicated by their placement in a competitive group alongside Germany and Greece, with the stakes high to maintain League A status for the 2028-29 edition.
A significant blow came with the injury of talismanic striker Dusan Vlahovic, who pulled out due to a calf injury. Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic remain available as forward options.
The Netherlands arrives with more positive momentum following Barcelona legend Xavi’s appointment as manager. Xavi made a respectable debut on Thursday night, with Oranje drawing 1-1 against Germany. After falling behind to Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha’s early goal, the Netherlands dominated the second half and leveled through Cody Gakpo in added time.
The Dutch have an unbeaten run of six matches in normal time (W3 D3) since an early June friendly defeat to Algeria. However, they continue to carry scars from recent tournament exits on penalties, including a quarter-final loss to Spain in the 2024-25 Nations League and the World Cup penalty shootout loss to Morocco on June 30.
The Netherlands will be without striker Brian Brobbey, who suffered a hamstring strain on Thursday. Memphis Depay was not selected for this international window. Mexx Meerdink could make his full international debut as a forward option. Crysenio Summerville and Tijjani Reijnders have retained their positions despite recently transferring to the Saudi Pro League.
Serbia and the Netherlands last faced each other in June 2006, when Arjen Robben’s goal secured a World Cup victory for the Dutch in Leipzig, Germany.
Key facts
- Serbia lost 1-2 to Greece on Thursday in their UEFA Nations League opener
- Netherlands drew 1-1 with Germany in their opening match under new manager Xavi
- Serbia is on a 10-game run without a clean sheet dating back to September 2025
- Serbia’s Dusan Vlahovic is unavailable due to a calf injury
- Netherlands’ Brian Brobbey is sidelined with a hamstring strain