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Liverpool defender beaming after first Netherlands goal

Cape Town - Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk was ecstatic after scoring his first goal for the Netherlands in the 3-0 win over Portugal on Monday night.

Ronald Koeman's side lost the first of their international friendlies 1-0 against England on Friday, but responded well against Portugal as Memphis Depay, Ryan Babel, and Van Dijk found the back of the net at Stade de Geneve.

Van Dijk hammered home a half-volley in first-half stoppage time to increase the hosts' lead to three goals, securing the victory over Cristiano Ronaldo and company.

The 26-year-old expressed via his Instagram account: "Great time away with the national team. Really happy overall with the work we put in as a group during the international break capped off by a fantastic result last night against Portugal! What a feeling to score my first goal for my country too!"

The former Celtic and Southampton defender has made 18 appearances for the Netherlands' senior national team and is expected to be a regular starter at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

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