Virgil Van Dijk's Frustrating Red Card Baffles Ronald Koeman In Hungary Draw

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Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands head coach, expressed confusion over Virgil van Dijk's red card during their 1-1 draw with Hungary. Van Dijk, playing his 77th international match, received two yellow cards within three minutes in the second half. The first was for protesting a foul on Donyell Malen to referee Lukas Fahndric, followed by another foul shortly after.

The dismissal seemed decisive after Roland Sallai scored from Zsolt Nagy's cross, giving Hungary a lead in the first half. However, the Netherlands equalised four minutes after being reduced to ten men when Denzel Dumfries headed Cody Gakpo's free-kick past Denes Dibusz. Koeman was puzzled by Van Dijk's first yellow card for discussing the foul on Malen.

"That moment was frustrating," Koeman told NOS. "I don't understand it. I think we agreed that a captain can protest to a referee. That foul [on Malen] was good for a red card. There was no intention at all to play the ball. That Virgil then takes that second card is not convenient. He knows that himself."

Van Dijk's red card made him the oldest player sent off (33 years and 95 days) since Phillip Cocu (34 years and 313 days) against Hungary in 2005. Before his dismissal, Van Dijk had been performing well, completing more passes than any other player with 145 passes, including 99 in the first half alone.

Van Dijk's Frustration

"[The red card] is a bummer. It should not have happened," Van Dijk told ESPN Netherlands. "But I'm especially angry about the first... They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee. I walk up to him... Very respectful... If even the captain cannot say anything... then it gets difficult."

The Liverpool captain expressed his frustration at full-time over both yellow cards but particularly emphasised his dissatisfaction with the initial booking.