Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to score the decisive goal as the Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1 in the Nations League Group A2, moving to the top of the standings on a night Virgil van Dijk earned his 100th cap.
The Manchester United attacker was introduced at half-time and restored the Dutch lead by converting Tijjani Reijnders’ ball across the face of goal.
Teun Koopmeiners had given the hosts the lead just after the half-hour mark. The Juventus midfielder, one of four changes made by the Netherlands and making his first start under Xavi, whipped a free-kick from the right through a crowded box and into the bottom far corner.
Serbia responded four minutes later when Mihajlo Cvetkovic outjumped Koopmeiners and headed past Bart Verbruggen for his first senior international goal.
But Zirkzee had the final say as the Netherlands held on for victory.
Van Dijk, the 35-year-old Liverpool centre-back, marked his 100th international appearance by helping shield a defence that largely contained a Serbia side which started brightly but remains winless at the bottom of the group.
Joey Veerman and Reijnders both threatened to add a third for the Netherlands, but it was not needed.
Back-to-back victories over Serbia by the same scoreline, following the Dutch side’s 2-1 win in Belgrade seven days earlier, leave them well placed with two matches remaining.
Xavi, the new Netherlands head coach, remains unbeaten in four games in charge, with two wins and two draws.
