The report says Issa Diop got behind Van Dijk to head Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in stoppage time, taking the tie into extra time. Driessen reportedly viewed Van Dijk’s positioning as decisive and argued that the defender’s international career should end.
That is a severe conclusion based on one sequence. Defensive errors are magnified at major tournaments, particularly when they arrive late and change the game’s direction. For a captain, the scrutiny is even sharper.
The same account presents a more complicated picture of Van Dijk’s display:
Those details do not erase the equaliser, but they challenge the idea that the defender produced an entirely poor performance. The report also says Koeman believed Van Dijk had been struggling physically, a factor that could have affected his positioning and recovery speed.
Van Dijk’s authority has always been tied to his organisation, composure and ability to control space behind the defensive line. When those qualities appear to decline, criticism quickly becomes a debate about succession.
The report claims the Netherlands’ switch to a back three was influenced by concerns over Van Dijk’s earlier tournament performances. If accurate, that would point to a broader tactical problem rather than a single individual mistake. The next coach must decide whether the captain remains the best option for a rebuilding side or whether a gradual transition is required.
The next test will come with Van Dijk’s response at Liverpool and the Netherlands’ choice of leadership for their next campaign.