Ruben Van Bommel lifts head with assist in Netherlands draw with Germany | OneFootball

Ruben Van Bommel, 22, delivered a superb outside-of-the-foot assist to earn the Netherlands a 1-1 draw with Germany on Thursday, easing the furore over a violent challenge that sparked a national row.

According to L'Équipe, the PSV winger’s impact almost overshadowed Xavi’s first match in charge, and he was among the new faces called up by the current Netherlands coach.

The storm stemmed from an early September clash with Ajax, when the PSV player hit Aaron Bouwman at full speed, turning at impact while arriving late. The Ajax defender was taken to hospital with a sternum haematoma and a lung contusion.

The challenge was likened to Harald Schumacher on Patrick Battiston at the 1982 World Cup. It brought only a yellow card, then the head of refereeing later admitted he should have been sent off. Fierce criticism followed, and although it was not a first offence, his call-up by Xavi was expected and went unchallenged.

Son of former international Mark Van Bommel, a PSV and Bayern Munich figure and now Belgium coach, and grandson of Bert Van Marwijk, the 1.92 m winger plays direct in classic Dutch style. A product of PSV and Maastricht, he debuted in 2022-2023, moved to Alkmaar for 2023-2025, then returned to PSV from 2025. He is technical and industrious, with 14 Eredivisie goals in 66 matches, but his finishing, heading and back-to-goal play need work.

After a long knee lay-off last year, he has started this season strongly and merits selection if he can control himself. After the Germany draw, Xavi said the debutant showed personality, ambition and desire, won balls back and produced an outstanding assist, which is what the staff want.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”