Verstappen, aiming for a record-equalling 10th consecutive win, initially led from pole position. However, he encountered issues early in the race, allowing Sainz to seize the opportunity and challenge for the lead after a compromised second lap.
Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez secured the third spot on the grid, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris completed the top five.
Verstappen joins the elite ranks of three-time F1 champions, alongside legends like Brabham, Stewart, Lauda, Piquet, and Senna, with Prost and Vettel holding four titles each in the all-time standings.
Thousands of red-clad Ferrari fans cheered as Sainz, who turned 29 on Friday, crossed the line 0.013 seconds quicker than runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen clinched his third straight victory from pole position at the Zandvoort track, with veteran Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso finishing second
The only threat to Verstappen's hopes of equalling the nine-race winning streak of Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull back in 2013 is the weather, that too in his own nation.
Despite setting the fastest time during Friday's qualifying session, Verstappen started sixth on the grid due to a five-place penalty for exceeding component usage.
With the victory the reigning double world champion clinched his seventh straight victory and the Red Bull their 12th in a row – beating McLaren’s long-standing record.
Verstappen said, "Most important for me was lap one to stay in front. After that we could do our own race. Our stints were perfect and I enjoyed it a lot."