Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Gakpo Earns Netherlands Draw as Klopp Debut Ends Level
The Netherlands played Germany in a Nations League match in Amsterdam.
Germany scored first through Felix Nmecha.
The Netherlands kept attacking and Cody Gakpo scored very late to make it 1-1.
A Netherlands goal earlier in the game had been canceled after a video review.
This meant Jürgen Klopp did not win his first match as Germany’s coach.
Xavi Hernandez also began his time as Netherlands coach with a draw.
Norway beat Denmark 3-2 after Erling Haaland scored twice.
Portugal beat Wales 1-0, and Austria, Greece and Malta also won.
Cody Gakpo’s stoppage-time volley gave the Netherlands a 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam.
Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead in the 32nd minute after a first-half Netherlands goal was ruled out by VAR.
The result denied Jürgen Klopp and Xavi Hernandez victories in their first matches as Germany and Netherlands coaches.
Erling Haaland scored twice, including the winner, as Norway defeated Denmark 3-2 in Oslo.
Portugal beat Wales 1-0, while Austria, Greece and Malta also won their Nations League matches.
- Who
- The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Wales, Austria, Israel, Greece, Serbia, Malta and Andorra, along with their players and coaches.
- What
- Nations League matches were played, highlighted by the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Germany and wins for Norway, Portugal, Austria, Greece and Malta.
- When
- The matches took place on Thursday; the Netherlands-Germany match was a Nations League opener.
- Where
- The Netherlands hosted Germany in Amsterdam, Norway hosted Denmark in Oslo, and Portugal hosted Wales in Lisbon; other matches were played in Austria, Serbia and Malta.
- Why
- The teams were competing for points in their respective Nations League groups.
Netherlands’ View
Germany’s View
Assessment of the draw
Netherlands’ View
The Netherlands’ late equaliser was deserved after sustained pressure and dominance, according to the match report and Virgil van Dijk.
Germany’s View
Germany believed its energetic start and individual performances were encouraging, but Jürgen Klopp acknowledged the team became too passive late and could play better.
Meaning of the result
Netherlands’ View
Xavi Hernandez began his Netherlands tenure with a draw after the team recovered from conceding against the run of play.
Germany’s View
The draw denied Jürgen Klopp a winning debut, although he said he was pleased with Germany’s passion and many individual performances.
- Headline result
- The Netherlands drew 1-1 with Germany after Cody Gakpo scored in stoppage time.
- Germany scorer
- Felix Nmecha gave Germany the lead in the 32nd minute.
- Disallowed goal
- Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header for the Netherlands was ruled out by VAR for a foul on Marc-André ter Stegen.
- Norway-Denmark
- Norway won 3-2, with Erling Haaland scoring twice, including the 74th-minute winner.
- Portugal-Wales
- Portugal won 1-0 through João Félix’s 22nd-minute goal.
- Other results
- Austria beat Israel 3-1, Greece beat Serbia 2-1, and Malta beat Andorra 2-1.
- Germany setbacks
- Jamal Musiala missed the match with a muscle or thigh complaint, while Kai Havertz left injured in the first half.
