De Jong explains his substitution with Netherlands: "There was no need to take risks"

De Jong was substituted at half-time of Netherlands' 7-0 win over Greece as a precaution following his recent return from injury.

Frenkie de Jong explained his substitution at half-time of the Netherlands' 7-0 victory over Greece on Friday, emphasizing that the decision was made out of caution. With the score already 5-0 at the break and having only recently returned from a World Cup injury, De Jong said it made sense to be withdrawn.

"I've just come back and haven't played many minutes yet," he said. "With all the travel and international commitments, and considering what I've been through before, there was no need to take risks." De Jong wore the captain's armband at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Barcelona teammates Marc Bernal featured in Spain's 2-0 U-21 win over Japan, while Hamza Abdelkarim came on in the 72nd minute of Egypt's 5-0 rout of Malawi.