Germany rally to draw 2-2 with Dutch after conceding early goal in Nations League
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Tijjani Reijnders (left) scores for the Netherlands after just 100 seconds of match play.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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AMSTERDAM – Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann preferred to look at the positives after his side conceded their earliest goal in 50 years, but fought back to lead at half-time before drawing 2-2 away to the Netherlands on Sept 10.
The Germans were stung early in their Nations League clash, with Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders giving the hosts the lead after just 99 seconds at Johan Cruyff Arena.
The shell-shocked visitors gave up several chances in the opening half an hour but eventually fought back to lead, thanks to two goals in seven minutes from Deniz Undav and new captain Joshua Kimmich before the break.
Denzel Dumfries, who missed a golden chance early, equalised just after half-time and despite both sides squandering chances – including a poor Kai Havertz miss from close range – the score remained level at full-time.
In his assessment of the game, Nagelsmann said “it was a bit over the place for both teams”, but added that “we were strong offensively and we took risks”.
“The team believes in itself, that’s key. We gave everything and that’s what we and the fans want to see,” he added.
Germany attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala told RTL his side were still adjusting to the loss of veterans Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Muller, who all retired from international football in the summer.
“It wasn’t our day, but we need to learn from that. We need to be more secure with the ball, but we can take some positives out of the game,” he said.
“We’ve lost four legends from the team but it’s a process, the atmosphere is still really good.”
Both sides came into the match with big wins over their Nations League League A Group 3 rivals as Germany thrashed Hungary 5-0 and the Netherlands defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2.
Despite the game-day withdrawal of striker Niclas Fullkrug due to injury, Nagelsmann elected not to return Havertz to centre-forward, where he started each game of Euro 2024.
Instead, he named Stuttgart’s Undav up front, the former Brighton & Hove Albion forward’s first start in Germany colours.
The Dutch cut the visitors open early via Reijnders’ goal but Germany eventually regained their structure and it was Undav who equalised on the 38-minute mark, smashing in a rebound from a Florian Wirtz shot.
With Germany again on the attack, Netherlands’ Manchester City defender Nathan Ake went down in the box after a sprint with an apparent muscle injury and was visibly emotional as he was stretchered off the pitch.
Germany’s Deniz Undav celebrates scoring their first goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman said further tests were needed to diagnose the injury, adding: “It looks like a muscle injury for Nathan, though I am not certain.”
Germany then turned the game around just before half-time, Kimmich tapping in an Undav pass in the third minute of stoppage time.
The visitors’ relief was short-lived however, with the Netherlands levelling proceedings on 50 minutes when Dumfries tapped in after Musiala was robbed of the ball inside his own box.
The group rivals finish the international break level on points, with Germany ahead on goal difference. AFP, REUTERS
