The Netherlands qualified for the Nations League finals as Virgil van Dijk’s header secured victory over Belgium at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Louis van Gaal’s side needed to avoid defeat by three goals against second-placed Belgium, whom they beat 4-1 in the reverse fixture in June.
But they made certain of their progress when Liverpool defender Van Dijk met Cody Gakpo’s corner after 73 minutes.
The Dutch ended their group campaign unbeaten, six points clear of Belgium.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez described Belgium’s heavy defeat in their previous meeting with the Netherlands as “a needed wake-up call”, and said prior to their meeting in Amsterdam that his side were out for “revenge”.
Martinez had to watch from the from stands as he served a touchline ban in Amsterdam, with Thierry Henry taking charge in the dugout.
Having kept their faint hopes of reaching next summer’s finals alive with victory over Wales three days ago, Belgium tried to unsettle the hosts early on but Eden Hazard was unable to make the most of Amadou Onana’s cutback inside five minutes.
The Dutch did not manage a shot on target in a quiet first half but, after a lively start to the second period by Belgium which saw Remko Pasveer deny Onana with a one-handed save, Van Dijk all but guaranteed Van Gaal’s side top spot.
Substitute Dodi Lukebakio almost scored a sensational consolation goal for Belgium with an overhead kick that struck the crossbar.
But, for the first time in 50 matches, Belgium failed to score, and the Netherlands will head into the World Cup on a 15-match unbeaten run.
The other match in the group saw Wales relegated after they were beaten at home by Poland.
Line-ups
Netherlands
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Pasveer
- 2TimberSubstituted forde Vrijat 66′minutes
- 4van Dijk
- 5AkéSubstituted forMalaciaat 45′minutes
- 22DumfriesBooked at 77mins
- 15de Roon
- 11BerghuisSubstituted forGakpoat 31′minutes
- 17Blind
- 14KlaassenSubstituted forGravenberchat 90+2′minutes
- 9JanssenSubstituted forTaylorat 45′minutesBooked at 84mins
- 7Bergwijn
Substitutes
- 3de Ligt
- 6de Vrij
- 8Gakpo
- 10Brobbey
- 12Rensch
- 13Cillessen
- 16Malacia
- 18Taylor
- 19Weghorst
- 20Gravenberch
- 21Noppert
- 23Flekken
Belgium
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Courtois
- 4Debast
- 2Alderweireld
- 5Vertonghen
- 15MeunierSubstituted forCarrascoat 45′minutesBooked at 82mins
- 18OnanaSubstituted forTielemansat 75′minutes
- 6Witsel
- 21CastagneBooked at 6minsSubstituted forLukebakioat 82′minutes
- 7De Bruyne
- 10E HazardSubstituted forTrossardat 64′minutes
- 23BatshuayiSubstituted forDe Ketelaereat 45′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Theate
- 8Tielemans
- 9Openda
- 11Carrasco
- 12Mignolet
- 13Casteels
- 14De Ketelaere
- 16T Hazard
- 17Trossard
- 19Lukebakio
- 20Vanaken
- 22Saelemaekers
Live Text
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Match ends, Netherlands 1, Belgium 0.
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Second Half ends, Netherlands 1, Belgium 0.
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Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) hits the right post with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Leandro Trossard with a cross.
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Foul by Axel Witsel (Belgium).
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Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Ryan Gravenberch replaces Davy Klaassen.
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Foul by Zeno Debast (Belgium).
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Steven Bergwijn (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Steven Bergwijn (Netherlands) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daley Blind with a through ball.
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Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Cody Gakpo.
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Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Tyrell Malacia (Netherlands).
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Offside, Belgium. Kevin De Bruyne tries a through ball, but Charles De Ketelaere is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Davy Klaassen (Netherlands) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cody Gakpo.
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Kenneth Taylor (Netherlands) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Youri Tielemans (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kenneth Taylor (Netherlands).
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Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Tyrell Malacia.
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Substitution, Belgium. Dodi Lukébakio replaces Timothy Castagne.
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Yannick Carrasco (Belgium) is shown the yellow card.
