Both teams were in high spirits after their recent performances. The Netherlands crushed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 at home, with goals from Joshua Zirkzee, Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo, Wout Weghorst, and Xavi Simons. Bosnia responded with goals from Ermedin Demirović and Edin Džeko. Meanwhile, Germany shone even brighter, thrashing Hungary 5-0 at home with goals from Niclas Füllkrug, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Kai Havertz.
First Time in 50 Years. Intense Drama in Amsterdam
After a successful start to the new Nations League campaign, both Ronald Koeman and Julian Nagelsmann were hoping for another win. The hosts started with a bang, taking the lead in under 120 seconds. Tijjani Reijnders capitalized on a through ball from Ryan Gravenberch and calmly slotted past Marc-André ter Stegen in a one-on-one situation.
According to stats from OptaFranz on the platform X, this was the fastest goal Germany had conceded since a match against the Netherlands 50 years ago. Reijnders scored in the 99th second, while back in 1974, in the World Cup final, Johan Neeskens gave the Dutch the lead after 86 seconds.
However, the early goal didn’t break the visitors' spirits, and they managed to threaten Verbruggen's goal late in the first half. The Brighton goalkeeper saved a shot from Florian Wirtz, but Deniz Undav was on hand to score on the rebound. Just before halftime, Undav also assisted Joshua Kimmich, who found the net from close range to put Germany ahead.
Before the break, Ronald Koeman was forced to make a substitution. Nathan Aké was stretchered off, and Jurrien Timber took his place.
The second half maintained the high intensity, with both teams eager to attack. In the 51st minute, the Netherlands equalized. The hosts won the ball from Musiala just outside the German penalty area. Xavi Simons passed to Brian Brobbey, who, with Nico Schlotterbeck on his back, turned and laid the ball off to Denzel Dumfries. The Inter Milan wing-back had no trouble putting it into the net.
Although there were plenty of thrilling moments in the remaining minutes, Dumfries' goal was the last of the game. The Netherlands and Germany shared the points, meaning the Dutch have now gone five years without defeating Germany. Their last win came on September 6, 2019, in a 4-2 victory during the Euro qualifiers. Goals from Frenkie de Jong, Donyell Malen, Georginio Wijnaldum, and an own goal by Jonathan Tah sealed that win, while Serge Gnabry and Toni Kroos scored for Germany.
In another match from the same group, Hungary faced Bosnia in Budapest, ending in a goalless draw.
Both teams will play their next matches during the October break. Germany will face Bosnia in Zenica on October 11, while the Netherlands will play Hungary in Budapest on the same day. On October 14, Germany and the Netherlands will meet again in a highly anticipated rematch in Munich.
Group A3 Table:
- Germany - 2 matches, 4 points, goals: 7:2
- Netherlands - 2 matches, 4 points, goals: 7:4
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - 2 matches, 1 point, goals: 2:5
- Hungary - 2 matches, 1 point, goals: 0:5
Netherlands 2:2 Germany (1:2)
- Goals: Tijjani Reijnders 2', Denzel Dumfries 51' - Deniz Undav 38', Joshua Kimmich 45+3'
- Netherlands: Verbruggen (gk) – Dumfries, de Ligt (46' van Hecke), van Dijk (c), Aké (45' Jurrien Timber) – Schouten (46' Quentin Timber), Reijnders, Gravenberch – Simons (74' Geertruida), Brobbey (82' Weghorst), Gakpo - coach: Ronald Koeman
- Germany: ter Stegen – Kimmich (c), Tah (46' Anton), Schlotterbeck, Raum – Andrich (64' Can), Havertz, Groß (64' Pavlović) – Wirtz, Musiala (89' Fuhrich) – Undav (64' Beier) - coach: Julian Nagelsmann
- Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
- Yellow cards: Schlotterbeck, Tah, Raum, Wirtz
- Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
