Netherlands vs Croatia LIVE! Nations League match stream, latest score and goal updates today
The 2023 Nations League finals kick off tonight with Rotterdam hosting a clash between two of Europe’s strongest sides and it is the Dutch who hold the lead at half time via Donyell Malen.
A scrappy first half led to plenty of action in the fouls column of the stats, if very little in the shots or goals column. Croatia have threatened without testing the goalkeeper, although Luka Modric had a goal chalked off for a clear foul by Mario Pasalic on Nathan Ake.
Memphis Depay and Matthijs de Ligt are the big absentees for the Netherlands while Josko Gvardiol misses out for the visitors, with a few surprises in the team news. Either Spain or Italy await in Sunday’s final in the third edition of the UEFA Nations League. And you can follow the Netherlands vs Croatia LIVE via Standard Sport’s matchday blog!
Live updates
Highlights: Donyell Malen puts the Netherlands ahead
HALF TIME! Netherlands 1-0 Croatia
That’s the break with Donyell Malen’s goal the difference at this stage.
45 mins: Netherlands 1-0 Croatia
One added minute.
44 mins: Netherlands 1-0 Croatia
The hosts again work the ball wide to Malen, this time his shot earning a forthright block.
41 mins: Netherlands 1-0 Croatia
A spell of pressure from the visitors appears to have subsided and the Dutch look happy in possession.
They could afford to commit a few men forward as there is very little pace in the Croatian attack to counter with.
38 mins: Netherlands 1-0 Croatia
De Jong booked for a late one on Brozovic.
36 mins: Netherlands 1-0 Croatia
Ivanusec finds himself in a great spot down the right flank but his backheel finds nobody with a lack of Croatian support in the box.
And the attack comes to a quick end as Perisic leaves a cheeky one on Bijlow, leaving the goalkeeper sprawled out on the deck.
No punishment for the Tottenham man though, with the Dutchman okay to continue without treatment.
GGGGOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Netherlands 1-0 Croatia | Malen, 33′
A LOVELY MOVE!
Croatia give it away and the Netherlands pounce with a sweeping passing move from left to right, Wieffer setting up Malen who fires home into the far corner.
31 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Croatia
Chance!
Perisic clips a recycled set piece back into the box and Kramaric goes for the chip… over the bar! That had Bijlow back tracking to his far post and worried.
The Netherlands launch an attack right up the other end and Koopmeiners flies a shot too high.
A veritable flurry of goalmouth action!
29 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Croatia
Errant header from Van Dijk creates a Croatian counter and Kramaric floats a crossfield pass straight into touch, well clear of Ivanusec.
Just lacking a bit of quality in the final third, in this semi-final.
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