Matthijs de Ligt taken off at half-time for Netherlands after major error as Virgil van Dijk reaction spotted

Virgil van Dijk was left furious after Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt made an error leading to an equaliser in the Netherlands' Nations League fixture against Germany.

The pair lined up at centre-back against Germany, and watched on as Ronald Koeman's side took a second-minute lead through AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

But the Netherlands fell apart from then on - with an error from De Ligt preceding a chain of disastrous events.

Attempting to play out from the back, the new United signing's pass was intercepted, resulting in a Germany move that was finished off by former Brighton forward Denis Undav.

After the goal went in, a livid Van Dijk punched the ground in frustration before appearing to gesture towards his defensive partner.

You can see the clip below.

Another error from Matthijs De Ligt tonight 🆚 Germany — He's been withdrawn at halftime by the gaffer 🫣 $/#MUFC pic.twitter.com/cV1VdPEbE6

— UTDQuarters (@UTDQuarters) September 10, 2024

De Ligt was then substituted at half-time by Koeman, with the Netherlands 2-1 down after Joshua Kimmich gave Germany the lead.

He was replaced by Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who slotted in alongside Van Dijk at centre-back.

Denzel Dumfries then levelled the scores once more with a 51st-minute goal for Koeman's side, who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 in their opening Nations League match in League A.

Dutch media were critical of De Ligt's performance in that game, but Koeman dispelled any doubts over whether he would keep his place against Germany.

He told Voetbal International: "We talked about it briefly. That focused on the goal - he is not in a good position. He did not come out well with his steps.

"That was an individual bad moment from a defender. You have to learn from that, but also not be too dramatic about it.

"He also had very good moments on the ball. That resulted in another big chance, when he played directly forward once. But it is clear that he also has to improve."