Gakpo ruled out of Nations League matches after ankle injury

Cody Gakpo will miss the Netherlands’ Nations League fixtures against Greece and Serbia after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s 2‑1 win in Belgrade. The forward, who has scored 25 goals in 56 international appearances, was forced off after just 17 minutes following a strong challenge from Serbia’s Sasa Lukic. The Dutch FA confirmed he will have returned to Liverpool for treatment, with new coach Xavi Hernández opting not to call up a replacement.

Gakpo had been decisive only days earlier, netting a late equaliser in a 1‑1 draw with Germany — the Netherlands’ first match since the World Cup and Xavi’s debut on the bench. The team traveled to Thessaloniki to face Greece before hosting Serbia in Eindhoven on Sunday, a match Gakpo will miss despite it being a return to his former home at PSV’s Philips Stadion.