It was quite an evening for AZ striker Mexx Meerdink over in Belgrade. The AZ striker scored a brace as the Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 on his first start for the national team. With Brian Brobbey out injured, Meerdink was given a starting spot just a few days after making his debut in the 1-1 draw with Germany. Xavi's faith in the AZ man was rewarded, with his two goals for the Netherlands giving the former Barcelona man his first win as head coach of the national team.
Speaking to ESPN after the game, Meerdink was full of joy. The 23-year-old striker said ' What a moment this is, for me. I'm super happy. Actually, I'm surprised. I get to score two in my starting debut. That's a boyhood dream '.
Meerdink has been rewarded for a really good start to the season with AZ. So far this season, the striker has scored four goals in nine games for the club, already on course to beat his eight goals in 32 games of last season, and hopefully better his career best 14 goals in 40 games from 2024/2025. With his first goals for the Netherlands now also out of the way, Meerdink may emerge as a serious contender to be the main striker alongside Sunderland's Brobbey going forward under Xavi. He certainly did himself plenty of favours in the victory over Serbia.
