Bizarre denouement threatens in Nations League group Red Flames: The Netherlands could fall victim to an agreement between two countries due to a clumsy move by UEFA

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Tension abounds in the Red Flames group in the Nations League. With one match to go, three countries still have a chance of winning the group and a possible ticket for the Olympic Games. However, a very strange and unpleasant situation is looming next Tuesday.

First the facts: the Red Flames kept their Olympic Games dream alive yesterday by drawing 1-1 at home against Scotland, which had already been condemned to last place for that match. The Netherlands gave away a double lead when they visited England. After conceding a goal in injury time, the score was 3-2.

It is so exciting at the top of group A. The Netherlands and England lead the group with nine points, Belgium follows both countries closely with eight points. On Tuesday the Red Flames travel to our northern neighbors, while England has to go to Scotland. The Red Flames certainly still have a chance of winning the group, but they no longer have their fate in their own hands.

The Netherlands still has its fate (partly) in its own hands. If both the Netherlands and England win, the goal difference will be decisive. The Dutch team is currently at +4, the Three Lions at +1. England will therefore have to score big against Scotland to improve this even further.

Not a smart move UEFA

There is just one not unimportant detail. England and Scotland will go to the Olympic Games together as Great Britain. In concrete terms: if England manages to get a ticket on Tuesday, a number of Scottish players will also have a chance to go to the Games in Paris. The Netherlands in particular seems to be the victim of this unusual situation.

A not very smart move by UEFA to have England and Scotland play in the same group. It is of course not certain that Scotland will effectively open the doors at the back. There is quite a bit of rivalry between the two countries. The whole of the Netherlands certainly hopes that the match will be played fairly.

Before the match against England, Dutch national coach Andries Jonker had already warned about this strange situation. “It’s very strange,” he said at the time. “It’s a strange situation, but I think the rivalry between Scotland and England is so great that Scotland will do everything they can. We must beat Belgium to achieve the target. Winning the group and playing for an Olympic ticket is and remains the goal.”

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