Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been praised for his display for the Dutch national team last night.
Van Dijk led the Netherlands into a big game in Euro 2024 qualifying, as they headed to Greece to take on Kostas Tsimikas and co.
With the Greeks sitting in second place in the table, and the Dutch a place and three points behind, it was a must-win game for Van Dijk and his teammates. Luckily, according to Netherlands based outlet AD, the Reds centre-back didn’t disappoint.
They claim that Virgil was a ‘rock’ for his team. As well as winning a first-half penalty, which Wout Weghorst missed, Van Dijk then converted a spot-kick of his own in the 93rd minute to win the game.
Aside from that, it’s claimed that Liverpool’s No.4 was ‘always on time’ in the tackle. In what was a really big game for his country, captain Virgil is said to have ‘radiated’ throughout the game. That’s our skipper!
Van Dijk turns match-winner
Van Dijk hasn’t always been the most popular of captains for his country of late.
Often faced with criticism in his homeland, the 32-year-old perhaps needed a moment like this to answer those critics back.
But under pressure, with a last-second spot-kick to claim what would be an enormous three points, was it ever in doubt?
Virgil may have missed a crucial penalty in last year’s World Cup shootout against Argentina, but he’s actually really good from 12 yards.
He showed that for Liverpool in the 2022 Carabao Cup final. Few Reds fans will have forgotten how he blasted the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga in ice-cold fashion 18 months ago.
Those supporters will have been confident as Van Dijk stepped up in Athens last night.
And, as it proved, they had every right to be. Virgil crashed home the penalty, sending ‘keeper Odisseas Vlachodimos the wrong way, and virtually booking the Dutch’s place in Germany next year. Is right, Virg!
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