Netherlands ended their Group A3 campaign in the Nations League with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Stadion Bilino Polje on Tuesday.
2024/2025 UEFA Nations League
1-1
Match Report
Ronald Koeman's side, who had already secured their place in the quarter-final heading into the final group fixture, finished with nine points - five fewer than group winners Germany.
Brian Brobbey gave a second-string Oranje the breakthrough in the 24th minute when he headed home a cross from Noa Lang following a short corner kick.
But Ermedin Demirovic scored on the rebound, after Edin Dzeko's initial effort was stopped by goalkeeper Mark Flekken, to help Bosnia salvage a point in the 67th minute, as the hosts finished bottom of the group with two points.
Earlier, Dzeko's shot was cleared off the line by Jorrel Hato in the first half and the Bosnia captain also had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up just past the hour mark, before Sergej Barbarez's side found the leveller.
Draw in Zenica. #NothingLikeOranje #BIHNED pic.twitter.com/LYPyc9nVIJ
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 19, 2024
Data Debrief: Bosnia's spirited comeback
The home side ended the first period without registering a single shot on target and only creating an expected goals (xG) of 0.54, compared to the Netherlands' xG of 1.29.
But they were a much-improved side after the break as they restricted the visitors to zero shots on target while recording three of their own to secure a point. They ended the second half with an xG of 0.46, which bettered the Netherlands' xG of 0.37 despite being lower than their first-half effort.
Prior to this fixture, Bosnia and Herzegovina had lost all four of their 2024-25 Nations League matches in which they were losing at half-time. But they fought back this time to end their League A stay with a draw.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' De Vrij sends a thumping strike, but Zlomislić turns it behind at full stretch
24' An flicked header from Brobbey opens scoring! Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Netherlands
42' Zirkzee has a shot saved and then De Vrij's shot is also blocked
43' Brobbey gets down in the penalty area but the referee says nothing
46' Kluivert has a shot blocked by Barišić near the end of first-half
50' Džeko strikes from an angel, but it's wide
54' Highlight from Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Netherlands
61' Džeko's goal is ruled out for offside
67' Demirovic equalizes for the hosts! Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Netherlands
77' Zirkzee and Lang are replaced by Weghorst and Gakpo
Line-ups
Bosnia-Herzegovina XI: Dzeko, Bicakcic, Ivan Sunjic, Burnic, Martin Zlomislic, Ermedin Demirovic, Amar Dedic, Armin Gigovic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Adrian Leon Barisic, Tarik Muharemovic
Subs: Osman Hadzikic, Haris Hajradinovic, Nikola Vasilj, Luka Kulenovic, Ivan Basic, Ifet Djakovac, Denis Huseinbasic, Samed Bazdar, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Nail Omerovic, Nidal Celik
Netherlands XI: De Vrij, Mark Flekken, De Ligt, Teun Koopmeiners, Kluivert, Lang, Joshua Zirkzee, Brian Brobbey, Jeremie Frimpong, Mats Wieffer, Jorrel Hato
Subs: Nick Olij, Weghorst, Dumfries, Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Tijjani Reijnders, Gravenberch, Jurrien Timber, Quinten Timber, Jan Paul van Hecke, Devyne Rensch, Bart Verbruggen