According to VoetbalPrimeur, Meerdink explained that Gakpo was on the list as number one, while he was number two. However, Gakpo was forced off the pitch after just 17 minutes due to injury, allowing Meerdink to take his chance. "When we got a penalty, I looked around and thought, 'I'll take this one now'," Meerdink said in an interview with the NOS. He then scored his first goal for the Netherlands, with his second goal coming later in the game.
Meerdink's first goal was a significant moment for the AZ striker, who was initially not part of the selection. He was called up due to a Donyell Malen injury, and then took Brian Brobbey's place in the starting lineup against Germany after Brobbey suffered an injury.