Following Virgil van Dijk’s penalty kick in the 93rd minute, which brought the Netherlands within one goal of qualifying for Euro 2024, he was commended for his “balls of steel.”

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool scored a penalty kick in injury time against Greece, putting the Netherlands on the edge of qualifying for Euro 2024.

Virgil van Dijk struck a penalty in the 93rd minute to bring the Netherlands on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024.

The captain of the Netherlands was the hero the country required. Another frustrating night for the Dutch as former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst missed a first-half penalty, seemingly setting up a draw in their Group B away encounter against Greece.

However, if you want something done well, do it yourself. Van Dijk converted the penalty kick after Denzel Dumfries was fouled in the 93rd minute. The Reds defender displayed poise and calm to turn the tables on Odysseas Vlachodimos and assist Ronald Koeman’s squad leapfrog Greece into second place in the group, putting them in pole position for qualification.

Supporters praised Van Dijk’s “balls of steel” as he had to wait three minutes for the penalty kick following a VAR assessment and avoid lasers pointed in his face from the home end. “Calm and composed, the lasers aren’t enough,” one fan tweeted.

A third fan said, referring to the penalty he missed for his country during the World Cup in Qatar, “That’s what big players do.” Another fan said, “Ice in his veins.” Salvation. “Carrying the Netherlands on his back once more,” said a fourth.

Virgil van Dijk sent the goalkeeper in the wrong direction.Virgil van Dijk sent the goalkeeper in the wrong direction. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images))

Van Dijk’s winner puts the Netherlands ahead of Greece in the head-to-head standings and with a game in hand. Greece will meet so far unbeaten group leaders France in their final game, with Koeman’s team facing the Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar in November.

Lasers were shined in Van Dijk’s face.Before taking the spot kick, Van Dijk had to ignore lasers being shone in his face.

At halftime, Van Dijk said, “We kept chasing Greece in this group, but we beat them twice, so we are now in control.” To be eligible, we must now do the mission, which we will do.”

Gus Poyet, the current Greece manager and former Chelsea star, had a bad night after VAR prevented the visitors from getting a second penalty in the 99th minute. He got a straight red card.