AMSTERDAM – Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was not pleased with his side, as they shrugged off a slow start to register a 4-0 friendly victory over Scotland at the Johan Cruyff Arena on March 22.
Tijjani Reijnders blasted home in the 40th minute to set the Dutch on their way to a fourth successive win.
But they had to cling onto their lead, with Scotland twice hitting the woodwork, before Georginio Wijnaldum doubled the tally in the 72nd minute with a header from close range.
Substitutes Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen added two more in the last six minutes as the hosts finished strongly, but Koeman insisted that there is still much room for improvement.
“For an hour, the Scottish team was the better team and created more chances. It was unbelievable that they didn’t score because they had some really good chances,” he said.
“We knew Scotland would fight. They also have good players, like John McGinn.
“So it was comfortable in the end, but not before then. We won’t win the European Championship playing like that.”
Both countries were using the game to prepare for June’s European Championship, where Scotland feature in the opening game against hosts Germany.
After trailing 1-0 at half-time, there were opportunities for Scotland’s Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour early in the second half. Ryan Christie also sent a header wide in the 51st minute as McGinn found him unmarked in front of goal.
Scotland should have been level in the 61st minute when Lawrence Shankland stole away possession but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he hit the crossbar instead.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk was also critical of his side’s performance.
“We need to be more clinical in possession,” the Liverpool defender said.
“There are a lot of things we need to do better if we want to do well at the Euros.”
Euro 2024 preparations continue on March 26 with the Netherlands taking on Germany in Frankfurt, while Scotland will be home to Northern Ireland at Hampden Park.
Elsewhere, Colombia inflicted Spain’s first defeat in almost a year with a 1-0 friendly victory in London, thanks to a goal from Daniel Munoz. The last time that La Roja lost a match under coach Luis de la Fuente was on March 28, 2023, when they were beaten 2-0 by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Argentina, missing injured talisman Lionel Messi, warmed up for their Copa America title defence with a 3-0 friendly victory over El Salvador in Philadelphia.
English Premier League players stole the show, as Cristian Romero opened the scoring in the 16th minute, with Enzo Fernandez netting in the 42nd and then Giovani lo Celso in the 52nd. REUTERS, AFP
