No red-carded VVD, no problem! Dumfries' late heroics save Oranje

Four decades have passed since Hungary last defeated the Netherlands, and on Friday night, it seemed like we were about to see the end of that extra-long tradition.

Dominik Szoboszlai and his teammates were 1-0 up against Ronald Koeman's side in Budapest in this entertaining UEFA Nations League clash.

Despite Oranje's domination on the pitch, the hosts scored the opener via Salai against the run of play and then raised the solid defensive well. It stood for 50 minutes, and the Hungarians were on the verge of the first victory against the mentioned rival since 1984.

The game's pendulum seemed definitely on their side after the Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk was sent off in the 79th minute, following the second booking in just four minutes.

That is VVD's third expulsion in his entire career, and we're quite sure the favourites won't be able to bounce back without the Liverpool defender.

However, Denzel Dumfries, who succeeded VVD as captain, made sure we got some deserved late drama.

Cody Gakpo launched a superb cross from the free-kick and the Inter Milan star headed it home with a lovely header for 1-1.

Gakpo's and VVD's Reds teammate, Szoboszlai, had the game's last chance with a long-range free-kick deep into the stoppage time, but it went nowhere near the target.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE A

Thursday

Israel - France 1-4 (1-2)

/Gandelman 24 - Camavinga 6, Nkunku 28, Guendouzi 87, Barcola 89/

Italy - Belgium 2-2 (2-1)

/Cambiaso 1, Retegui 24 - De Cuyper 42, Trossard 61/

Friday

Hungary - Netherlands 1-1 (1-0)

/Salai 32 - Dumfries 83/

B&H - Germany 1-2 (0-2)

/Dzeko 70 - Undav 30,36/

Saturday

19:00: (1.63) Croatia (3.80) Scotland (5.70)

21:45: (5.50) Poland (3.90) Portugal (1.63)

21:45: (2.65) Serbia (3.25) Switzerland (2.95)

21:45: (1.40) Spain (4.60) Denmark (8.00)

Monday

21:45: (1.65) Germany (3.80) Netherlands (5.40)

21:45: (3.00) Belgium (3.40) France (2.35)

Tuesday

21:45: (5.20) Scotland (3.80) Portugal (1.75)

21:45: (1.30) Spain (5.80) Serbia (12.0)

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE B

Thursday

England - Greece 1-2 (0-0)

/Bellingham 87 - Pavlidis 49, 90+4/

Finland - R. Ireland 1-2 (1-0)

/Pohjanpalo 17 - Scales 57, Brady 88/

Austria - Kazakhstan 4-0 (1-0)

/Baumgartner 10, Lienhart 53, Sabitzer 56, Seidi 79/

Norway - Slovenia 3-0 (1-0)

/Haaland 7, 62, Sorloth 52/

Friday

Iceland - Wales 2-2 (0-2)

/Tomasson 69, Ward 72 og - Johnson 11, Wilson 29/

Ukraine - Georgia 1-0 (1-0)

/Mudryk 35/

Turkey - Montenegro 1-0 (0-0)

/Kahveci 69/

Czech Republic - Albania 2-0 (1-0)

/Chory 3, 63/

Sunday

16:00: (5.30) Kazakhstan (3.60) Slovenia (1.70)

19:00: (9.50) Finland (4.90) England (1.35)

21:45: (1.90) Greece (3.35) R.Ireland (4.40)

21:45: (2.20) Austria (3.45) Norway (3.25)

Monday

21:45: (2.25) Ukraine (3.40) Czech R. (3.20)

***odds are subject to change***