Jurrien Timber scores twice at left-back as Netherlands thrash Greece 7-0
The Arsenal defender claims his first international goals in a Nations League rout in Amsterdam, while Greece's Christos Tzolis suffers a night to forget.
Jurrien Timber scored twice from left-back, his first goals for the Netherlands, as the hosts beat Greece 7-0 in Amsterdam in the Nations League on Friday.
A one-sided first half
Crysencio Summerville gave the Dutch the lead in the sixth minute. Tijjani Reijnders then scored a 21-minute hat-trick, and Timber netted his first goal before the break, with the Netherlands 5-0 up at half-time.
Timber struck again just before the hour mark. Donyell Malen added the seventh with around half an hour still to play, and Greece avoided further punishment.
Timber and Tzolis
Timber's Arsenal team-mate Christos Tzolis was on the pitch for all seven goals before being withdrawn in the 73rd minute, Football London reports.
Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur gave Timber 9/10 and wrote: "The perfect joker, Xavi called him the day before the match." Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf said Timber "showed why he is arguably one of the best right-backs in world football right now."
Seedorf also credited Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for recognising Timber's potential and using him as a permanent right-back, which he said gave the defender the freedom to push forward.
Xavi and De Jong
Frenkie de Jong captained the Netherlands but was taken off at half-time with the side 5-0 up. Barca Blaugranes reports that the Barcelona midfielder had felt discomfort in his back before the game.
Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez played down any concern. "It's nothing serious. Everyone will be available on Monday," he said.
De Jong called the change a precaution. He is only just back to full fitness after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury, and this was his first match for the Netherlands since the World Cup last summer.
What it means for Greece
Greece had been the surprise package in League A2 and went into the game level on eight points with the Netherlands. Greek media branded the result, the country's third-worst defeat in international football, "unacceptable" and demanded an improvement in the group finale at home to Serbia on Monday.
The Netherlands face Germany on the same day.
