On Friday, November 13, the fifth round of the UEFA Nations League group stage took place across four divisions. The matchday delivered two historical anti-records, an unexpected performance echoing the legendary Marco van Basten, and decisive outcomes in several groups. The centerpiece of the evening was the Netherlands' demolition of Greece, while concurrently, the Bundesteam confidently dismantled Serbia away from home.
Netherlands vs. Greece: Seven goals and a van Basten-esque hat-trick
In the top billing of Group A2, there was no contest—Xavi's side dismantled their opponents, handing the Greek national team their heaviest defeat of the 21st century across all competitions (the previous anti-record was 1-5 against Finland in 2001). By the 19th minute, "Oranje" were already leading 3-0: first Crysencio Summerville (6th minute) capitalized on a defensive error, then Tijjani Reijnders completed a quick brace (12, 19). Before halftime, Reijnders scored for the third time (33), becoming the first Netherlands player since Marco van Basten (1990) to net a hat-trick in the first half, while the fifth goal in the 40th minute came from Jurrien Timber. After the break, Timber secured a brace (59), and Donyell Malen delivered the final blow in the 61st minute. The final score was 7-0.
Germany routs Serbia away
Jurgen Klopp's side dealt decisively with the Serbs away. By the 3rd minute, the score was opened by an own goal from home defender Srdjan Babic, and soon Florian Wirtz doubled the Bundesteam's lead. At the start of the second half, Brajan Gruda brought the score to a rout. Babic managed to partially redeem himself for the own goal by scoring in the opponent's net in the 56th minute, but the hosts could not manage more. The Serbs finished the match with nine men after the expulsions of Dragovic and Zivkovic.
Group clinchers: Switzerland and Slovakia advance early
In Group B1, the drama concluded in Maribor, where the Swiss national team played out a goalless draw with Slovenia (0-0). This result was enough for the Alpine side to mathematically guarantee first place and a spot in the elite Division A with 13 points and one round to spare. Slovenia sits second with 8 points. In a parallel match, Scotland edged out North Macedonia (2-1) at home thanks to a brace from John McGinn. The victory kept theoretical chances for the second spot alive for the British side (7 points), while the Macedonians, having scored their first goal of the current campaign, lost their chances of remaining in the division (0 points).
In Group C3, the Slovakian team drew at home against the Faroe Islands (2-2), escaping defeat in the 74th minute thanks to a goal from Lukas Haraslin. This result guaranteed the Slovaks first place (10 points) and direct promotion to League B, while the visitors have drawn all five matches of the tournament. The Moldovan national team, including Lviv 'Karpaty' defender Vladislav Baboglo, capitalized on the Faroe Islands' slip-up: a brace by Petru Popescu brought Moldova a victory over Kazakhstan (2-1) and lifted the team to second place (7 points), granting a spot in the promotion play-offs.
Other divisions: Iceland, Moldova, and historic victories
In the C4 quartet, the battle for the top spot intensified to the limit: Iceland routed Bulgaria away (5-0) thanks to a hat-trick by Blackburn striker Andri Gudjohnsen, while Estonia narrowly defeated Luxembourg (1-0). Before the final round, Iceland (11 points) and Estonia (9 points) are separated by only two points. In the lowest division, both matches held a special context due to the upcoming tournament reform, under which League D will be liquidated from next season, and all six teams will move up to Division C. Despite this, the Andorra national team achieved a historic victory over Gibraltar (2-0)—the Pyreneans triumphed in an official match for the first time since 2022. In the other match, Azerbaijan narrowly defeated Liechtenstein (1-0) thanks to a 26th-minute goal by Mahir Emreli and won their group.
After five rounds in Group A2, the Netherlands lead the standings outright (11 points), Greece and Germany share the second-third spots (8 points each), while Serbia sits last with no points. It is noted separately that news of new personnel losses for the Ukrainian national team before the meeting with Northern Ireland had emerged earlier.
