Tijjani Reijnders scored a first-half hat-trick as the Netherlands thrashed Greece 7-0 on Friday, moving close to securing a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Crysencio Summerville capitalised on a defensive lapse to give the Dutch an early lead in Amsterdam, before former Manchester City midfielder Reijnders doubled the advantage and struck again from close range, completing his hat-trick in the 33rd minute with a squeeze home at the far post.

Jurrien Timber turned in a Donyell Malen cross before half-time to make it 5-0, and the Arsenal defender added his second goal of the night on the hour mark. Malen completed the rout with a crisp first-time finish against a Greece side that bore little resemblance to the team that nearly beat the Netherlands last month, when Greece had held a two-goal lead in October before Reijnders salvaged a 2-2 draw.S1S2

Greece had entered the match unbeaten in Group A2, having taken four points against Germany. Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez praised the first half but cautioned that it was only one game, telling UEFA the team needed to continue in the same way. Greece winger Christos Tzolis said his side had a very bad start and conceded every chance the opponent had, calling the first half the worst performance of the national team.S1S2

The Dutch lead the group with 11 points, three clear of both Greece and Germany, going into the final round of matches. The margin of the win effectively means the Netherlands will advance to the quarter-finals. Germany host the Netherlands in Berlin on Monday, while Greece are at home to Serbia, who are without a point after five games. Serbia finished with nine men in their 3-1 loss to Germany in Belgrade.S1S2

PUNCH Online reports that Reijnders is the son of former footballer Martin Reijnders, who named him after former Nigeria and Ajax forward Tijani Babangida. Reijnders has no direct family ties or heritage to Nigeria; he is Dutch and of Indonesian (Moluccan) descent through his mother.S2