Wout Weghorst’s stoppage-time header snatched all three points for the Netherlands, who beat Wales 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Rhys Norrington-Davies appeared to have earned the hosts a point when he cancelled out Teun Koopmeiners’ earlier strike, but the visitors made it two wins from two in the Nations League.
Starting lineup:
WALES (4-4-2): Danny Ward; Connor Roberts, Ben Davies (capt), Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon; Rhys Norrington-Davies, Harry Wilson, Joe Morrell, Dylan Levitt; Daniel James, Brennan Johnson.
SUBS: Adam Davies, Rubin Colwill, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Gunter, Rabbi Matondo, Wes Burns, Sorba Thomas, Matthew Smith, Gareth Bale, Mark Harris, Jonathan Williams.
NETHERLANDS (3-4-3): Mark Flekken; Jordan Teze, Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt; Hans Hateboer, Teun Koopmeiners, Jerdy Schouten, Tyrell Malacia; Noa Lang, Wout Weghorst, Cody Gapko.
SUBS: Jasper Cillessen, Bruno Martins Indi, Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Guus Til, Frenkie de Jong, Davy Klaassen, Steven Berghuis, Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, Kjell Scherpen.
Goals:
KOOPMEINERS!!! 1-0 NETHERLANDS! The visitors take the lead as Koopmeiners receives the ball from Schouten on the edge of the box before beating Davies with a low drive from 20 yards.
NORRINGTON-DAVIES!!! 1-1! Wales has equalised! The hosts may have snatched a point as Norrington-Davies arrives at the far post to head home Roberts’ brilliant cross for his first international goal. What a time to get it!
WEGHORST!!! 2-1 NETHERLANDS! The visitors regained the lead almost immediately. Weghorst’s thumping header meets Malacia’s cross from the left, and Davies cannot keep it out.
What does it mean? The Netherlands is setting the pace
Although this was anything but a classic, Van Gaal will be delighted with the way a side missing several vital men responded to a late blow to hit back with a sucker punch.
They were clinical, scoring with both shots on target to sit three points clear of Belgium, who hammered Poland 6-1. Wales are without a point from two matches.
So, what’s next?
Both sides return to action on home soil on Saturday. The Netherlands hosted Poland, with Wales welcoming Belgium.
