Virgil van Dijk sent off to leave Netherlands boss fuming over ‘broken agreement’

Hungary and Netherlands played out a goalless draw as Virgil van Dijk was sent off in a game with Liverpool stars involved including Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo

Virgil van Dijk was shown red but Netherlands were able to salvage a draw against Hungary despite being down to 10 men.

Liverpool’s captain was shown two yellow cards in the space of three minutes to be shown his marching orders with Ronald Koeman’s side already down by a goal. It was the first time the Dutchman has been brandished with a red card for his national team.

Roland Sallai opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark to ensure the home side enter the break with an advantage despite Netherlands holding most of the possession. The visitors were unable to find a way past Hungary however and Van Dijk allowed his frustrations to get the better of him to receive his first caution after arguing his case to the referee.

It was only three minutes later the Reds star committed a foul that saw him quickly handed another and ordered to leave the field. Liverpool team-mate Dominik Szboszlai, Hungary’s captain, watched on, glancing from the sides of his eyes while taking a drink on the sideline as Van Dijk continued to protest.

Denzel Dumfries head in a late equaliser from Cody Gakpo’s cross to ensure a Nations League point and second place in League A Group 3. Netherlands next take on top-of-the-table Germany, though Van Dijk will be suspended for that match.

Koeman defended his captain following the game however and was frustrated with the decision to award Van Dijk his first yellow card. The former Southampton and Celtic defender expressed his frustrations to referee Lukas Fähndric after Donyell Malen was knocked down.

Van Dijk believed that Hungary should not have escaped a red card in the instance. Koeman reckons his captain should have been afforded the right to communicate with the official.

“That moment was frustrating,” Koeman told NOS. “I don’t understand it either. I think we have agreed that a captain can protest to a referee. That violation was good for a red card. There was no intention at all to play the ball.

“The fact that Virgil then takes that second card is not convenient. He just had to follow along, but he knows that himself.”

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