Prior to kick-off in Amsterdam, the Dutch team was all but guaranteed qualification, boasting a three-point lead and a 13-goal advantage over Poland. However, they still needed to officially secure their spot for next summer’s finals.
De Ligt, a standout performer for Manchester United this season, had seen only one minute of action during the Dutch campaign. Despite this, Ronald Koeman positioned him as a centre-back in a lineup featuring nine Premier League players.
This marked our number 4’s first international start since last November, and he contributed to the Oranje’s clean sheet on a smooth evening at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
