Virgil van Dijk proved his class both on and off the field as the Netherlands reached the Nations League semi-finals with a dramatic comeback against Germany.
Timo Werner and Leroy Sane gave Germany a two-goal advantage inside 19 minutes at the Veltins-Arena before late goals from Quincy Promes and Van Dijk sealed a crucial 2-2 draw for the visitors.
The Liverpool defender took up a more advanced position as the match reached its crescendo and latched onto Tonny Vilhenas cross in the 90th minute, volleying home in style past Manuel Neuer.
It emerged before the game that the referee on the night, Ovidiu Hategan, had just lost his mother but had made the decision to officiate regardless – and Van Dijk approached him after the final whistle.
More: Football
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That man broke down, stood with tears in his eyes because he had just lost his mother, Van Dijk said in the aftermath of the draw.
I wished him strength and said that he had blown well. Its a small thing, but maybe it helps him.
Referee Ovidiu Hategan recently lost his mother. Right after the FT whistle Virgil van Dijk went towards him to comfort him, while crying. This is beautiful.
— AFC Ajax
(@TheEuropeanLad) November 19, 2018
The draw means the Netherlands finish top of Group A1, above World Cup winners France, and join England, Portugal and Switzerland in the semi-finals.
Germany, meanwhile, have been relegated to second tier and will be among the second seeds for Euro 2020 qualification if Portugal lose to Poland on Tuesday night.
Joachim Low criticised his players for failing to kill off the Netherlands when they had the chance after the break.
I am a bit disappointed by the result but overall I saw more positives than negatives, he said.
More: Football
We played a very good first half and should have scored a third in the second half to finish the game.
But this kind of thing seems to be the story of our entire year.
MORE: Maurizio Sarri hails extraordinary Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
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Virgil van Dijk proved his class both on and off the field as the Netherlands reached the Nations League semi-finals with a dramatic comeback against Germany.
Timo Werner and Leroy Sane gave Germany a two-goal advantage inside 19 minutes at the Veltins-Arena before late goals from Quincy Promes and Van Dijk sealed a crucial 2-2 draw for the visitors.
The Liverpool defender took up a more advanced position as the match reached its crescendo and latched onto Tonny Vilhenas cross in the 90th minute, volleying home in style past Manuel Neuer.
It emerged before the game that the referee on the night, Ovidiu Hategan, had just lost his mother but had made the decision to officiate regardless – and Van Dijk approached him after the final whistle.
More: Football
Advertisement Advertisement
That man broke down, stood with tears in his eyes because he had just lost his mother, Van Dijk said in the aftermath of the draw.
I wished him strength and said that he had blown well. Its a small thing, but maybe it helps him.
Referee Ovidiu Hategan recently lost his mother. Right after the FT whistle Virgil van Dijk went towards him to comfort him, while crying. This is beautiful.
— AFC Ajax
The draw means the Netherlands finish top of Group A1, above World Cup winners France, and join England, Portugal and Switzerland in the semi-finals.
Germany, meanwhile, have been relegated to second tier and will be among the second seeds for Euro 2020 qualification if Portugal lose to Poland on Tuesday night.
Joachim Low criticised his players for failing to kill off the Netherlands when they had the chance after the break.
I am a bit disappointed by the result but overall I saw more positives than negatives, he said.
More: Football
We played a very good first half and should have scored a third in the second half to finish the game.
But this kind of thing seems to be the story of our entire year.
MORE: Maurizio Sarri hails extraordinary Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
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