Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk had a ruthless response to Matthijs de Ligt’s costly error against Germany on Tuesday evening.
De Ligt partnered Van Dijk at the heart of the Dutch backline in Amsterdam but produced a huge mistake for Germany’s equaliser.
The new Manchester United signing tried to play out from the back but gave the ball away cheaply, resulting in Deniz Undav smashing home the leveller.
Van Dijk was furious and punched the floor before appearing to gesture towards the former Bayern Munich and Juventus man.
De Ligt was hooked for Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke at half-time and Van Dijk did not sugarcoat things when asked about the 25-year-old’s latest error.
Speaking to NOS, Van Dijk said: “This is football. You have to learn from this. It was one moment but at the highest level you will get punished for it.”
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders had put the Dutch ahead early on but Joshua Kimmich added to Undav’s strike to make it 2-1 to the visitors before half-time, with Van Dijk not covering himself in glory with his defending.
Image: Getty
Denzel Dumfries struck in the second half to ensure the spoils were shared in the Nations League clash.
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake was stretchered off in tears in the first half after suffering what appears to be a serious injury.
De Ligt has struggled in recent times and his first start for United was a 3-0 defeat to Van Dijk’s Liverpool.
He then came in for criticism for his display for the Netherlands in the 5-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, prompting Ronald Koeman to address his current form.
Image: Getty
Speaking to Voetbal International, Koeman said: “We talked about it briefly. That focused on the goal – he is not in a good position. He did not come out well with his steps.
“That was an individual bad moment from a defender. You have to learn from that, but also not be too dramatic about it.
“He also had very good moments on the ball. That resulted in another big chance, when he played directly forward once. But it is clear that he also has to improve.”
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