The Netherlands ratings: Mexx Meerdink and Ruben van Bommel the big stand-out performers, midfielders come up short

The Netherlands resumed their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 win over Serbia. Head coach Xavi Hernández made two changes and collected his first three points. Voetbalzone rates the starters and substitutes who played at least 45 minutes.

Mexx Meerdink earns a 9 on his full Netherlands debut. The striker hauled the Dutch past Serbia almost single-handedly. Meerdink opened the scoring with a coolly taken penalty after Crysencio Summerville won the spot-kick. Then, in the 70th minute, he struck again to put the Netherlands back in front at 1-2.

Ruben van Bommel also impressed off the bench once more. The winger came on for Cody Gakpo early on and caused Serbia problems several times with his dribbling and a fine effort on goal. The PSV player gets an 8 for his display.

Early on, the Netherlands struggled with Serbia. Joey Veerman started brightly and took charge in midfield for a spell, but he could not sustain that level across the full match. Even so, his 7.5 puts him among the better Dutch performers.

Down the right, Denzel Dumfries regularly threatened as he burst forward at speed. The right-back gets a 6.5. Jan Paul van Hecke receives the same mark after winning plenty of individual and aerial duels, while also using the ball accurately.

Crysencio Summerville and Micky van de Ven both get a 6. Summerville won the penalty that led to Meerdink's opener, but after that he rarely looked truly dangerous. Van de Ven stayed solid defensively and stepped in well on a number of occasions, though he had less influence in possession.

Bart Verbruggen is also rated 6. The goalkeeper made two saves before Serbia's equaliser, but he had no chance from close range at the third attempt.

Virgil van Dijk found Serbia a difficult opponent and is rated 5.5. The Netherlands' slow ball circulation, combined with Serbia's sharp counters, meant the captain did not always look fully at ease. Just as against Germany, Van Dijk is left with a 5.5.

Although Veerman played well, his two midfield partners were far less convincing. Ryan Gravenberch gets a 5, while Tijjani Reijnders receives the lowest mark of all with a 4.5. Reijnders also missed a big chance from a Dumfries cross. Both had too little involvement in the game and made way after 67 minutes for Kenneth Taylor and Guus Til.

Netherlands national team ratings