Cody Gakpo volleys stoppage-time equaliser as Netherlands draw 1-1 with Germany
Cody Gakpo struck in the 91st minute to secure a 1-1 draw for the Netherlands against Germany in Amsterdam, cancelling out Felix Nmecha's first-half opener.
Klopp and Xavi make international debuts
Former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez each took charge of their respective national teams for the first time on Thursday in Amsterdam. Klopp, appointed in July following Germany's group-stage exit to Paraguay at the World Cup, wore a cap bearing a message about representing all 83 million people in Germany. Xavi, hired in August after Ronald Koeman stepped down, became the first foreign head coach of the Dutch national team since 1978. Both tacticians managed their first competitive fixtures since stepping down from club duties in May 2024. Germany faced an immediate setback before kick-off at the Johan Cruyff Arena when playmaker Jamal Musiala suffered thigh pain during warm-ups and was replaced by Nadiem Amiri.
First-half injuries and opening goal
The Netherlands created the first clear chance in the 13th minute when captain Virgil van Dijk headed into the net from a Tijjani Reijnders corner. The video assistant referee disallowed the goal, ruling that Brian Brobbey had impeded Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Physical duels defined the first half, resulting in injuries on both sides. Germany forward Kai Havertz received treatment for knee and hamstring trouble following a foul from Quinten Timber and was substituted for Younes Ebnoutalib in the 30th minute. Two minutes later, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha scored from close range after a cutback from Freiburg full-back Philipp Treu. Dutch players protested that play should have been stopped for Brobbey, who pulled up with a hamstring injury during the build-up. Karim Adeyemi missed an opportunity to extend Germany's lead in the 39th minute when he shot wide from five metres.
- Virgil van Dijk header disallowed by VAR for Brian Brobbey's foul on Marc-Andre ter Stegen
- Kai Havertz substituted due to injury and replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib
- Felix Nmecha scores the opening goal for Germany from Philipp Treu's cutback
- Karim Adeyemi misses the target from five metres out
- Cody Gakpo volleys home the equaliser from Ruben van Bommel's cross
Gakpo secures late equaliser
The Dutch increased their attacking tempo in the second half, forcing Ter Stegen into multiple saves to protect Germany's advantage. The breakthrough for the hosts arrived in the 91st minute through Cody Gakpo. Substitute winger Ruben van Bommel, who became the third generation of his family to represent the Netherlands after father Mark van Bommel and grandfather Bert van Marwijk, delivered a cross from the left. Gakpo connected with a flying volley to level the match at 1-1. The result left both teams with one point in their Nations League Group A2 opener.
Results across the Nations League
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Norway secured a 3-2 victory over Denmark in Oslo in Group A4. Erling Haaland scored twice, including a 74th-minute winner from a short corner, after Oscar Bobb had opened the scoring. Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund scored for Denmark before Norway defender David Moller Wolfe was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card. In Lisbon, Portugal earned a 1-0 win against Wales courtesy of a 22nd-minute strike from Joao Felix, while a potential career goal number 980 for Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out for offside. In other matches, Austria defeated Israel 3-1, Greece won 2-1 away to Serbia, Kosovo beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Pristina through a late Vedat Muriqi goal, Lithuania won 2-0 in Liechtenstein, and Malta secured a 2-1 away victory over Andorra.
