Home Football ‘Balls of Steel’: Virgil van Dijk Converts a 93rd-Minute Penalty, Propelling the Netherlands to the Brink of Euro Success ⚽🇳🇱

‘Balls of Steel’: Virgil van Dijk Converts a 93rd-Minute Penalty, Propelling the Netherlands to the Brink of Euro Success ⚽🇳🇱

Football — 10/17/2023

After Virgil van Dijk’s penalty kick in the 93rd minute placed the Netherlands within one goal of qualifying for Euro 2024, he was praised for his “balls of steel.”

After scoring a penalty kick in injury time against Greece, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk stepped up to put the Netherlands on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024.

Virgil van Dijk scored a 93rd minute penalty to put the Netherlands on verge of Euro 2024 qualification

The captain of the Netherlands provided the hero that the country needed. Another frustrating night for Oranje as former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst missed a first-half penalty, seemingly setting up a draw in their road game against Greece in Group B.

Nevertheless, if you want something done correctly, do it yourself. Van Dijk took the penalty kick in the 93rd minute after Denzel Dumfries was fouled. The Reds defender showed poise and composure to turn the tables on Odysseas Vlachodimos and help Ronald Koeman’s team jump Greece into second position in the group, putting them squarely in the driver’s seat for qualifying.

On social media, supporters applauded Van Dijk’s “balls of steel” after he had to wait three minutes to take the spot kick after a VAR assessment and ignore lasers pointed in his face from the home end. “Calm and composed, the lasers aren’t enough,” an admirer tweeted.

A third fan, alluding to the penalty he missed for his nation during the World Cup in Qatar, remarked, “That’s what big players do.” Another supporter remarked, “Ice in his veins.” Salvation. “Carrying the Netherlands on his back once again,” a fourth person said.

Virgil van Dijk sent the goalkeeper the wrong wayVirgil van Dijk sent the goalkeeper the wrong way (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Van Dijk’s winner sees the Netherlands move ahead of Greece on head-to-head and with a game in hand. Qualification is all but wrapped up with Greece playing so far perfect group toppers France in their final game, with Koeman’s side playing Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar in November.

Van Dijk had lasers shone in his faceVan Dijk had to ignore lasers being shone in his face before taking the spot kick.

Van Dijk made the following statement at halftime: “We kept chasing Greece in this group, but we beat them twice, so we are now in control.” To be eligible, we must now complete the task, which we shall.”

Gus Poyet, the former star player for Chelsea and current Greece manager, had a terrible night after VAR stopped the visitors from scoring a second penalty in the 99th minute. He was given a straight red card.