The Netherlands snatched a 1-1 draw with Germany deep into added time of their Nations League opener. Cody Gakpo headed home in the 95th minute from a superb cross by debutant Ruben van Bommel, ensuring new head coach Xavi Hernández did not lose his first match in charge.
The game at a packed Johan Cruijff Arena started poorly for the Dutch. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring for Germany in the 32nd minute. Just before that, striker Brian Brobbey had to go off injured, handing an immediate debut to his replacement Mexx Meerdink. The Netherlands thought they had equalised ten minutes from time through captain Virgil van Dijk, but VAR ruled the goal out for an offside against Brobbey in the build-up.
"I think we deserved at least a point tonight," said Van Dijk afterwards. The team applied more pressure and created more chances in the second half but seemed unable to find a leveller until the final moments. "A pass like that needs exactly the right speed and feel. I think it's absolutely brilliant," reacted former international Rafael van der Vaart.
Line-up
Xavi Hernández, the first foreign head coach since Ernst Happel in 1978, started Quinten Timber in midfield. Marc ter Stegen was the only Ajax player on the pitch. The team is now unbeaten in their last five matches, a run of two wins and three draws. In World Cup qualifying, the Netherlands currently top their group with seven points from three games. The next assignment comes in just three days, an away match against Serbia.
This was the 49th meeting between the two neighbouring nations. Before kick-off, there was a minute's silence for former international Bartina Koeman. Head coaches Hernández and Germany's Jürgen Klopp embraced before the match, which was broadcast live on public television. Gakpo's equaliser, his tenth goal of the season for the national team, sparked jubilant celebrations in Amsterdam. The squad now travels directly for the key qualifier in Belgrade on 27 September.
