Greece 2-2 Netherlands: Xavi sparks inevitable fightback

It was a tale of two contrasting halves. Greece dictated the first with unquestionable superiority to head into the break with a two-goal lead, before the Netherlands bossed the second. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back, Dumfries had two strikes disallowed, and the Dutch eventually snatched an equaliser that felt inevitable.

Greece have shed their reputation as mere relegation scrappers to become genuine contenders. Across three matchdays, they have cast aside any lingering self-doubt and launched a credible bid to top a group containing two historic powerhouses. Two wins, one draw, and the clear imprint of Ivan Jovanovic, who has constructed an organised yet fearless side playing with relentless intensity.

The Serbian head coach tweaked the line-up that had triumphed in Germany, bringing in Saliakas, Kourbelis, and Fotis Ioannidis. Xavi rotated even more heavily following their victory in Serbia, ringing four changes: he rebuilt the midfield around Guus Til and Quinten Timber and handed Ruben van Bommel a start in place of the injured Gakpo.

Nothing clicked early on for the Dutch. Greece seized control of the contest, dominated individual duels, and exploited gaping spaces against a bewildered opponent. A tame long-range effort from Summerville straight into Tzolakis's arms was all the Dutch mustered in an opening 45 minutes of overwhelming home supremacy.

Tzolis fired the first warning shot. He even found the back of the net, though the goal was chalked off after an offside Pavlidis strayed across the ball's trajectory. Shortly afterwards, the striker pulled up with a muscle injury and made way for Masouras.

The personnel changed, but the script remained identical. Fresh off the bench, Masouras flicked on a long ball to send Ioannidis through on Verbruggen. The forward surged ahead with conviction and broke the deadlock with a pinpoint right-footed drive into the bottom corner.

The Netherlands offered no answer and ultimately conspired in their own downfall. Deep into stoppage time, Van Bommel played a back-pass from the flank that inexplicably sliced between Van Dijk and Veerman. Ioannidis pounced on the gift and delivered a pinpoint cut-back to Masouras, who finished at his leisure to cap a flawless opening period.

Xavi recognised the shambles and overhauled his side at the interval. He hauled off Van Bommel, Guus Til, and Quinten Timber, introducing Noa Lang, Tijjani Reijnders, and Gravenberch. The Dutch instantly found pace, authority in possession, and an attacking depth that had deserted them earlier.

Greece suddenly retreated, defending far too close to Tzolakis. Van Dijk halved the deficit with a thumping header from a corner, and Dumfries wheeled away twice to celebrate an equaliser, only for the offside flag to intervene on both occasions to grant temporary respite to an increasingly beleaguered Greek defence.

The Netherlands shifted from complete non-factors to an unrelenting siege force camped around the home penalty area. Their persistence paid dividends in the 89th minute when Reijnders collected possession inside the box and drilled a crisp effort that squeezed through Tzolakis's legs.

Jovanovic's men let slip a victory that had seemed firmly within their grasp, while Xavi averted his first managerial defeat after rectifying his initial tactical missteps from the dug-out.