A Dramatic Night at the Johan Cruyff Arena
Cody Gakpo volleyed in a 92nd-minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw for the Netherlands against Germany in Amsterdam on Thursday night, denying Jurgen Klopp a winning start as Germany head coach in the UEFA Nations League opener. Germany had led through Felix Nmecha’s 32nd-minute strike, but a dramatic late Dutch counter-attack ended Klopp’s dream debut — with Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala injuries adding to Germany’s pain.
It was a night full of subplots at the Johan Cruyff Arena: a disallowed Van Dijk header, a controversial opener, two injury blows for Klopp’s new-look side, and a last-gasp goal from one of Klopp’s old Liverpool players. For both teams, it was the first step of new eras — and it ended with honours even in Group A2.
Van Dijk’s Disallowed Opener and Nmecha’s Controversial Strike
The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute when captain Virgil van Dijk headed in from a corner — but VAR overruled the effort for a foul on Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Germany’s new number one.
Germany had already suffered a setback before kick-off, with playmaker Jamal Musiala ruled out after feeling muscle pain during the warm-up. There was worse to come in the 30th minute, when forward Kai Havertz was taken off injured after a clash with Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber.
Yet just two minutes later, Germany were ahead. Philipp Treu cut the ball back from the byline and Felix Nmecha slotted in from close range — a goal that carried a hint of controversy, as the Dutch players felt Brian Brobbey was left injured on the floor in the Germany half during the build-up. Brobbey was later withdrawn with an apparent muscle injury.
Germany should have doubled their lead before half-time. A lightning breakaway sent Karim Adeyemi through on goal, but he somehow missed the target from five metres out.
Havertz and Musiala Injuries Worry Klopp — and Arsenal
The biggest concern for Germany was not the result but the treatment room. Havertz, who has started the season as Arsenal’s first-choice striker with three goals in seven appearances, managed to walk off under his own power but went straight down the tunnel after being examined on the field. The 27-year-old was replaced in the 30th minute by Younes Ebnoutalib, the Eintracht Frankfurt forward, who made his international debut.
After the game, Klopp admitted both Havertz and Musiala would miss Germany’s upcoming matches. “Both are currently undergoing an MRI,” Klopp told RTL. “I hope we get the diagnosis [on Thursday] evening. But of course, this isn’t great. I hope it’s nothing serious. The lads are probably out for us. But hopefully, they’ll be back in action relatively quickly.”
For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Havertz’s early exit is a worrying development, with the Gunners locked in a title fight and the international break still ongoing.
Gakpo — Klopp’s Former Player — Spoils the Debut
Germany’s resilience was finally broken in stoppage time. The Netherlands upped the pressure after the break, with ter Stegen making several fine saves to preserve the lead, but their dominance paid off in the 92nd minute when a quick counter-attack ended with Gakpo — one of Klopp’s former players at Liverpool — volleying home the equaliser.
It was a cruel twist for Klopp, who took charge of Germany in July with the task of rebuilding the national team after their shock early World Cup exit to Paraguay. Across the touchline stood Xavi Hernandez, appointed as Netherlands coach in August after Ronald Koeman stepped down following their World Cup round-of-32 elimination. Xavi is the first foreigner in charge of the Dutch national team since the 1978 World Cup.
“We have to accept the result,” Klopp said afterwards. “Even though I badly wanted to win I take the draw. I was very, very, very pleased with a lot of the individual performances. Overall, I was very happy with the passion we showed. We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.”
What the Draw Means for Group A2
A point apiece leaves Germany and the Netherlands with work to do in a group that looks finely balanced. Elsewhere in Group A2 on the same night, Norway edged Denmark 3-2 in a thriller while Greece secured a valuable 2-1 away win against Serbia, meaning every team in the group is already separated by fine margins.
For Klopp, the draw continues a difficult start to his international career — but there were positives in the high-tempo start, the debut of Ebnoutalib, and the performances of players like Treu and Adeyemi. For Xavi, a late point salvaged on his managerial debut keeps the Netherlands in the fight, though the loss of Brobbey to injury will be a concern.
What to Watch Next
Both sides return to Nations League action on Sunday, September 27: Germany host Greece, while the Netherlands travel to face Serbia. The fitness of Havertz and Musiala will dominate the headlines until then — Germany’s rebuilt attack can ill afford to lose two of its most creative players as the qualification race heats up.
Thursday’s match was billed as the beginning of new eras for two of Europe’s biggest football nations. On the evidence of a breathless night in Amsterdam, the Klopp and Xavi projects are both very much under construction — and Group A2 looks set to be one of the stories of this Nations League season.
