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Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Netherlands: Oranje wrap up group stage with draw

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The Netherlands ended their Group A3 campaign in the Nations League on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Bilino Polje Stadium.

UEFA Nations League 2024/2025

1-1

Ermedin Demirovic (67')

Brian Brobbey (24')

Match report

Ronald Koeman's side, who had already secured their place in the quarter-finals heading into the final group match, finished with nine points – five fewer than group winners Germany.

Brian Brobbey gave the Dutch team the breakthrough in the second series in the 24th minute when he headed in a Noa Lang cross from a short corner kick.

But Ermedin Demirovic scored on the rebound, after Edin Dzeko's initial effort was stopped by goalkeeper Mark Fleken, to help Bosnia salvage a point in the 67th minute as the hosts finished bottom of the group with two points.

Earlier, Dzeko's shot in the first half was cleared off the line by Jorrel Hato and the Bosnia captain also had a goal disallowed just after the hour due to a foul in the build-up, before Sergej Barbarez's team found the equalizer.

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 19, 2024

Data Debrief: Bosnia's spirited comeback

The home side ended the first period without registering a single shot on target and only created an expected goal (xG) of 0.54, compared to the Dutch xG of 1.29.

But they were a much better side after the break, as they limited the visitors to zero shots on target while recording three themselves to secure a point. They finished the second half with an xG of 0.46, which was better than the Dutch xG of 0.37, despite being lower than their first half effort.

Prior to this match, Bosnia and Herzegovina had lost all four of their 2024/25 Nations League matches, losing at half-time. But they fought back this time to end their stay in League A with a draw.

Competition events

0' The match is about to start!

7' De Vrij gives a thundering attack, but Zlomislić turns him behind him at full speed

24' A header from Brobbey opens the score! Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Netherlands

42' Zirkzee has a shot saved, after which De Vrij's shot is also blocked

43' Brobbey goes down in the penalty area, but the referee says nothing

46' Kluivert has a shot blocked by Barišić towards the end of the first half

50' Džeko shoots from an angel, but the ball goes wide

54' Highlight of Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Netherlands

61' Džeko's goal is disallowed for offside

67' Demirovic equalizes for the hosts! Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Netherlands

77' Zirkzee and Lang are replaced by Weghorst and Gakpo

Setups

Bosnia and Herzegovina XI: Dzeko, Bicakcic, Ivan Sunjic, Burnic, Martin Zlomislic, Ermedin Demirovic, Amar Dedic, Armin Gigovic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Adrian Leon Barisic, Tarik Muharemovic

Subs: Osman Hadzikic, Haris Hajradinovic, Nikola Vasilj, Luka Kulenovic, Ivan Basic, Ifet Djakovac, Denis Huseinbasic, Samed Bazdar, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Nail Omerovic, Nidal Celik

Netherlands XI: De Vrij, Mark Flokken, De Ligt, Teun Koopmeiners, Kluivert, Lang, Joshua Zirkzee, Brian Brobbey, Jeremy Frimpong, Mats Wieffer, Jorrel Hato

Subs: Nick Olij, Weghorst, Dumfries, Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Tijjani Reijnders, Gravenberch, Jurrien Timber, Quinten Timber, Jan Paul van Hecke, Devyne Rensch, Bart Verbruggen