Greece and Netherlands draw 2-2 in Nations League after Greek lead slips away
Greece surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in a UEFA Nations League Group A2 clash in Thessaloniki, with both teams remaining unbeaten in the group.
Match summary
Greece and the Netherlands played out a 2-2 draw on Thursday at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki, in the third matchday of UEFA Nations League Group A2, according to the BBC. The match was refereed by Italy's Marco Guida, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead: Fotis Ioannidis opened the scoring with a clean finish, then set up Giorgos Masouras to double the advantage, per the BBC.
Dutch comeback
Netherlands manager Xavi Hernández made a triple substitution at half-time, a change that sparked a comeback, the BBC reports. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, marking his 99th international cap, headed in a goal to reduce the deficit. Substitute Tijjani Reijnders then struck a late equaliser to make it 2-2.
Injury concern for Arsenal's Tzolis
Greece forward Christos Tzolis, who has started all five of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season, was forced off in the 18th minute after picking up an injury during an attack; he had wanted to continue playing, the BBC said. He is the second Arsenal forward to be injured during this international break in a match against the Netherlands, after Germany's Kai Havertz was hurt the previous week.
Context: Group A2 standings
Both Greece and the Netherlands remain unbeaten in Group A2 following the result. Per Sports Illustrated, a win would have taken the Netherlands to the top of the group table. Greece has been described as the surprise package of the group so far this campaign, while the Dutch side, under new manager Xavi Hernández, had earlier drawn with Germany (a late goal from Cody Gakpo) and beaten Serbia, a match in which 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar forward Mexx Meerdink scored his first two international goals.
What's next
Sports Illustrated reports that Greece will next face Germany, who will be seeking revenge, while the Netherlands hosts Serbia on the same day. Group A2 play concludes in November, with Greece and the Netherlands meeting again on November 13; the Netherlands then faces Germany, and Greece hosts Serbia in Nea Ionia.
