Germany and the Netherlands played an eventful match on Monday night in the UEFA Nations League.
A 2-2 stalemate did not, however, take centre stage here as late drama saw the Dutch secure semi-final spot courtesy of Quincy Promes and Virgil van Dijk goals scored in the final five minutes of the match.
The Netherlands did stage a late comeback which pushed them through in the competition against the already relegated Germans but it was one particular moment that drew the most attention.
It involved the Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk consoling referee Ovidiu Hategan who recently lost his mother. The towering centre-back went towards the ref after full time to comfort him while the match official struggled to contain tears.
“He told me his mom recently passed away. He broke down and started crying. I consoled him and told him he refereed well. It’s a small thing, but I hope it helped”, Virgil van Dijk commented.
Such a class act.
Referee Ovidiu Hategan recently lost his mother. Right after the FT whistle Virgil van Dijk went towards him to comfort him, while crying. This is beautiful.
— AFC Ajax 💫 (@TheEuropeanLad) November 19, 2018
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