Viewers are scathing about one Netherlands international: ‘We can do without him!’

Netherlands fans aren't sorry Virgil van Dijk is missing Friday evening's Nations League match against Greece. Their side were 5-0 up at half-time.

Against Greece on Friday, the Netherlands flew out of the blocks. Crysensio Summerville opened the scoring after just six minutes following a fine piece of play by Donyell Malen.

Tijjani Reijnders then stole the show. The Al-Qadsiah midfielder scored three times in 20 minutes to put the Netherlands 4-0 ahead.

Just before half-time, Jurriën Timber got in on the act, turning in a low cross from Malen with ease. It was 5-0.

Van Dijk is missing Friday evening's match. He travelled to Zeist earlier this week, but examinations showed he was not fit enough to play during this international break.

On social media, viewers are hardly mourning his absence. "The Netherlands play much better without Virgil van Dijk," concludes Ger van der Veen.

Another viewer writes on X: "As expected, we need Virgil van Dijk like a hole in the head. What a breath of fresh air to have Frenkie building play from the back."

"So it turns out Virgil van Dijk was the problem all along?" remarks Huub Bellemakers. "Lovely to see how liberating Virgil van Dijk's absence is for this Netherlands side," says Rob Goosens.

With Van Dijk absent, Frenkie de Jong is wearing the captain's armband on Friday evening. Denzel Dumfries took it over from him after half-time.