'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Van de Beek reminder for Manchester United
The core of the 2018/19 Ajax team, which made a run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, was finally dismantled this summer as Donny van de Beek joined Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder followed teammates Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, and Hakim Ziyech in doing so, with all of them now based at a top European club.
However, unlike De Ligt, De Jong, and Ziyech, Van de Beek has found minutes in the first-team hard to come by. The 23-year-old has been scarcely used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from the start this season, with the United manager preferring to deploy him as an impact sub.
Nonetheless, Van de Beek gave the Red Devils and their manager a timely reminder of his talents, as he scored with a ferocious volley against Spain. The youngster arrived late into the box before finishing past Unai Simon with a thumping effort following a cross by Owen Wjindal.
Both Manchester United and the Netherlands face a string of important fixtures in the coming weeks, and Van de Beek will be hoping to play a more crucial role this time around.
#4 Evergreen Ramos hits stunning milestone
Fifteen years and nine months after making his debut for the Spanish national team, captain Sergio Ramos came on for his one hundred and seventy-sixth appearance (176) against the Netherlands. In doing so, the Real Madrid man became equalled Gianluigi Buffon's record for most appearances by a player for a European nation.
Ramos has been an integral part of the Spain set-up since his debut in 2005, and he has retained the arm band since being handed the captaincy ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016. During the same period, the centre-back has helped La Roja lift three international trophies - FIFA World Cup 2010, UEFA Euro 2008, and UEFA Euro 2012 - while contributing with decisive actions at both ends of the pitch.
More broken records could be on the horizon for Ramos, with the defender currently tied with Alfredo di Stefano for national team goals (23). He is also just nine appearances away from breaking the record for most international caps, which is currently held by Ahmed Hassan of Egypt (184).
#5 Familiar failings for De Boer
Frank de Boer's managerial career quickly unravelled following his decision to leave Ajax back in 2016. Four years from then, the Dutchman returned to his native land, following stints in Italy, England, and even across the Atlantic. However, his slow start as the Dutch national team manager has become an all-too familiar theme.
De Boer found himself with little time to settle in after joining Inter Milan in 2016. The demands of a top European club, coupled with poor results, saw him depart Italy after just eighty-five days. Crystal Palace beckoned next for the Dutchman, but with his team failing to win - or score - in any of their first four games of the 2017/18 league season, he was once again relieved of his duties.
Following another unsuccessful stint as the manager of MLS side Atalanta United, De Boer returned to the Netherlands to manage the national team. However, a failure to win any of his first four matches has brought back a familiar sense of dread for the Dutchman.
With several key players either injured or ruled out due to COVID-19 restrictions, De Boer must hope for quick improvement or face the prospect of elimination from the 2021 Nations League Finals.
