Christian Eriksen's return to the Denmark team stole the show as he scored with his first touch after coming off the bench at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday where Netherlands forward Steven Bergwijn netted twice as the hosts won 4-2.
2022 Friendlies
4-2
Match Report
Early Dutch pressure saw Bergwijn open the scoring, rising to meet a Daley Blind cross after 16 minutes.
The lead lasted four minutes before Vestergaard equalised in similar fashion with Dutch debutant goalkeeper Mark Flekken hesitating in coming off his line.
The Netherlands advantage was restored in the 29th minute with another headed goal, this time by Ake who rose high above the defence to head home at the end of a corner routine that included Blind and Steven Berghuis.
Vestergaard then gave away a penalty as he caught Berghuis with a late lunge, allowing Depay to make it 3-1 after 37 minutes in what proved a frenetic first half.
Eriksen was brought on after the break as Danish injuries began to pile up with Thomas Delaney, Yussuf Poulsen and Alexander Bah all forced off.
Two minutes later Eriksen reduced the deficit in a fairytale return to the international stage, while goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made several stops to keep the Dutch at bay.
But he could do little about Bergwijn’s powerful finish in the 71st minute to restore the home side's two-goal advantage and extend their unbeaten run to eight games.
"I think we did a good job and hardly gave them any chances while we made many for ourselves," said Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal.
They next play Germany at the same stadium on Tuesday after Denmark take on Serbia in Copenhagen where Eriksen can expect a heroes' welcome.
Line-ups
Netherlands XI: Blind, Berghuis, Depay, Ake, Van Dijk, M. Flekken, Bergwijn, Dumfries, De Ligt, T. Koopmeiners, De Jong
Subs: Krul, Wijnaldum, De Roon, J. Clasie, Klaassen, Weghorst, Hateboer, J. Drommel, Groeneveld, O. Wijndal, D. Malen, T. Malacia
Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Delaney, Vestergaard, Poulsen, Hojbjerg, Andersen, J. Mæhle, V. Nelsson, A. Bah, J. Wind, J. Lindstrøm
Subs: Eriksen, C. Nørgaard, Ronnow, A. Cornelius, A. Maxsø, D. Iversen, K. Dolberg, Billing, Larsen, M. Jensen, R. Kristensen, Olsen