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Blind pays price for De Ligt risk as Netherlands crumble in key World Cup qualifier

The Dutch are left in a bad position in their World Cup qualifying group after their 2-0 defeat to Bulgaria and questions must be asked of the coach

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If Matthijs de Ligt has been flying high over the last few months, the 17-year-old defender was brought crashing back down on his Netherlands debut in Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Bulgaria.

Lining up for the World Cup qualifier with a back line that partnered De Ligt with Bruno Martins Indi in the centre and Daley Blind on the left looked horribly vulnerable on paper and proved to be just that.