Jürgen Klopp's Germany were just minutes away from the perfect start to life under the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss. - © IMAGO/osnapix / Marcus Hirnschal

bundesliga

Jürgen Klopp and Germany denied by late Netherlands goal in UEFA Nations League opener

24.09.2026

Jürgen Klopp's new-look Germany were denied a 2026/27 UEFA Nations League opening win as Cody Gakpo volleyed home for the Netherlands in stoppage time to cancel out Felix Nmecha's first-half strike.

Netherlands 1-1 GermanyGoals: 0-1 Nmecha 32', 1-1 Gakpo 90'+2' (assist: Van Bommel)

Although Jamal Musiala had to drop out of the starting line-up at the last second due to injury, Germany looked full of energy. However, the Netherlands started to take control and thought they had taken the lead through Virgil Van Dijk, only for his header to be chalked off. Germany then suffered another injury blow when Kai Havertz left the pitch injured, but that disappointment quickly turned to joy when Nmecha prodded home Germany's opener just a couple of minutes later. Karim Adeyemi then had a massive chance to double Germany's lead after being found by Nathaniel Brown, but he could only fire over with the goal gaping.

The Dutch upped the ante after the break as Marc-André ter Stegen increasingly became the busier of the two goalkeepers, making a series of decent stops to preserve Germany's lead. However, with the clock ticking down, the Ajax shotstopper was finally beaten in his home stadium as Ruben van Bommel stole possession on the halfway line before sending in a perfect cross for Gakpo to volley home in added time.

Nmecha was the man to grab the first goal of the Klopp era. - IMAGO/Heiko Becker

As it happened:

1 - 1

(0 - 1)

Netherlands

FINAL

Germany

Nations League
Group A2 Group A2 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

Klopp: "Very pleased with the passion we showed"

“We saw two very good football teams," said Klopp afterwards. "We made a great start, but then had a really difficult ten-minute spell. When the system isn’t quite in place yet and the patterns of play aren’t working properly, you have to fight for every challenge and you need a good goalkeeper. I was very pleased with a lot of the individual performances and the passion we showed, even though we know we can play better football.”

Full-time: Netherlands 1-1 Germany

That late Gakpo goal means the game ends level, and a draw is probably a fair result in the end. Both teams had chances, with Ter Stegen the busier of the two keepers. The Klopp era has had its first 90 minutes, and there were certainly some positive signs in a tough game against a strong opponent.

Full-time

90'

+ 5

That could have been the winner

The ball is crossed in from the left and suddenly the entire Dutch team is queuing up in the centre. Til meets it with his head, but his shot drops just wide of the far post.

Gakpo levels at the death

Gnabry loses the ball cheaply on the right, and Van Bommel breaks free down the wing. He spots Gakpo in the centre and finds him with a stunning outside-of-the-boot pass. In the centre, Gakpo makes no mistake and fires home on the volley.

90'

+ 2

Cody Gakpo

GOAL!

1:1

Added time

There will be three extra minutes at the end of this one. Will we see a late goal?

89'

Van Bommel forces a good stop

Van Bommel has another chance to shoot from the edge of the box and this time he brings Ter Stegen into action, forcing the Ajax goalkeeper into an important save.

88'

Deflected wide

Van Bommel tries his luck from a clearance and the shot takes a touch on the way through and rolls wide.

86'

Van Hecke denied

Yet more chaos in the Germany penalty area as Van Hecke eventually heads an effort towards goal, but it is easy enough for Ter Stegen to gather.

83'

Substitution

Guus Til

Tijjani Reijnders

83'

Substitution

Ruben van Bommel

Crysencio Summerville

83'

Ebnoutalib heads wide

Treu does brilliantly to battle his way to the byline on the right before sending in a cross that Ebnoutalib meets under pressure, but he can't direct it on target.

81'

That could have gone anywhere

Führich gets down the left and fires in a low cross that is cleared against the chest of Ebnoutalib, with the ball looping narrowly wide.

80'

Another debut

Engelhardt comes on for Amiri to make his Germany debut. Gnabry also comes on to replace Adeyemi.

80'

Substitution

Yannik Engelhardt

Nadiem Amiri

80'

Substitution

Serge Gnabry

Karim Adeyemi

78'

Will we see another goal?

We're approaching the final 10 minutes now, and the score remains 1-0. Given the intensity we've seen so far, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a second goal in this game.

A solid return

Ter Stegen may have misplaced a couple of passes earlier on, but he has put in a strong performance on his return to the side, making some important stops.

73'

Another Dutch chance

The hosts burst forward down the left and Meerdink shoots from the angle, forcing Ter Stegen into action once again.

71'

Adeyemi skies it

The Barcelona man tries his luck again, but once more he can't hit the target.

70'

Treu denied

Germany break down the left through Führich and his low cross finds Treu. He opts not to shoot initially and instead feeds Adeyemi. Adeyemi tries to squeeze his way through, but can't, and the ball falls to Treu once again. He shoots, but Van Hecke is in the way.

69'

Amiri in the book

Amiri slides in on Dumfries and realises too late that he won't get to the ball and can't stop himself from completely wiping out the Real Madrid defender. That's another yellow card, and Dumfries also picks one up for his reaction to the challenge.

69'

Yellow card

Denzel Dumfries

68'

Yellow card

Nadiem Amiri

66'

Inches away

Dumfries rolls his man in the box and fires across a low cross that Meerdink meets at the back post, but he doesn't connect cleanly and the ball bounces narrowly wide of the post. That couldn't have been much closer.

64'

Substitution

Anton Stach

Felix Nmecha

64'

Substitution

Chris Führich

Kevin Schade

62'

Chaos in the box

Another Dutch corner ends with the ball in the net, but the referee had long since blown his whistle for a foul. Just before, Ter Stegen had made a really important stop from Meerdink after the Dutch striker pounced on the loose ball in the box.

61'

Over

Van Dijk has a header from a corner deflected over the bar.

60'

Big chance

Meerdink produces a tidy backheel that sets Dumfries through in the box. He holds off Brown and shoots, but he can't beat the outstretched Ter Stegen.

59'

Adeyemi blazes over

Schade exchanges passes with Nmecha on the edge of the box, but loses out to Van Hecke. The ball then pops up to Adeyemi, but he fires well off target from a good position.

57'

Veerman is on

The new Dortmund midfielder comes on to replace Timber in midfield.

57'

Substitution

Joey Veerman

Quinten Timber

53'

Dumfries heads over

The Dutch defender launches himself at a corner and heads over the bar.

50'

Threatening

Reijnders gets down the left and fires in a low cross that is well cleared.

46'

Back underway

The ball is moving once more in Amsterdam, and the Netherlands get on the attack immediately through Gakpo. His low cross finds Summerville, but he can't get a shot away.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Netherlands 0-1 Germany

So far so good for Klopp and Germany as the away side lead 1-0 at the break thanks to Nmecha's goal. Before that, Van Dijk had seemingly put the Dutch ahead, only for the goal to be chalked off. It has been a great half of action, with both sets of players seemingly keen to impress their new managers.

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Headed over

Van Hecke meets a corner, but his effort loops well over the goal.

45'

+ 2

Adeyemi almost gets free

The Barcelona man tries to burst clear through the middle, but he is knocked off the ball by Summerville.

45'

Additional time

There will be three extra minutes before the interval.

44'

Blocked

Summerville bursts into the box and shoots, but Schlotterbeck is in the way.

42'

Ter Stegen with two quick saves

First Van de Ven is denied at the near post after a neat, flowing move and then Ter Stegen gifts the Dutch possession on the edge of the box, and Gakpo fires in a powerful shot that the goalkeeper has to parry clear. That's the second loose pass from the German goalkeeper already.

41'

Good chance

A chipped cross into the area is met by Summerville from close range, but his effort is straight at Ter Stegen, and he makes the stop.

38'

Adeyemi misses a sitter

Germany get forward at pace and suddenly Brown is bursting into the box unopposed on the left. He spots Adeyemi free in the centre and squares for the Barcelona man, but he fires over the bar with the goal gaping.

35'

Substitution

Mexx Meerdink

Brian Brobbey

Nmecha fires Germany in front

A low cross from Treu is blocked into the path of Nmecha in the six-yard box and he hammers home from close range. The Dutch players are incensed, though, as Germany played on after Brobbey had gone down injured.

32'

Felix Nmecha

GOAL!

0:1

31'

Ebnoutalib denied

Just moments after coming on, the Frankfurt striker spins in the box and forces a decent save from Verbruggen.

Havertz can't continue

Another Germany injury means that Ebnoutalib is on for his Germany debut a bit earlier than expected as he replaces Havertz.

30'

Substitution

Younes Ebnoutalib

Kai Havertz

30'

Off target

Timber tries his luck from the edge of the box again and this time his effort comfortably clears the bar.

28'

A stoppage in play

Havertz is down holding his hamstring, and this doesn't look promising for the Arsenal man.

24'

Another yellow

Van Hecke clears out Schade on the left and also goes into the referee's book.

24'

Yellow card

Jan Paul van Hecke

22'

First booking

Timber catches Havertz a little late in midfield and picks up the first card of the evening.

22'

Yellow card

Quinten Timber

20'

The hosts are on top

That disallowed goal appears to have given the Dutch more confidence, and they now have Germany firmly pinned back.

Plenty of early action

This has been a very entertaining opening 20 minutes. We've seen the ball in the net once already even if it was disallowed, and a lot of energy from both teams.

15'

Goal disallowed

The Netherlands have the ball in the net via a Van Dijk header from a corner, but after a lengthy review, the goal is chalked off. Brobbey is adjudged to have impeded Ter Stegen's ability to play the ball.

12'

Reijnders denied

The former Manchester City man volleys an effort towards goal, but a Dutch player gets in the way.

11'

Brobbey almost breaks free

The Sunderland striker powers past Tah before going to ground in the box, but nothing is given.

10'

Dragged wide

Gakpo slots the ball back to Timber on the edge of the box, and he tries his luck, but he doesn't catch his shot cleanly, and the effort bobbles wide.

Ter Stegen gets his gloves on the ball

The Netherlands get forward down the right via Summerville and Ter Stegen has to be alert to claim his low delivery.

Dangerous cross

Debutant Treu gets to the byline and whips a low cross into a really dangerous area, but the Netherlands clear.

Good early tempo

Germany have started this game with plenty of energy. Adeyemi has already had a couple of touches in the Dutch box without quite being able to get a shot away.

We're underway

The Germany Klopp era has begun in Amsterdam.

Kick-off!

Players on the pitch

And the national anthems are playing. Not long now until we get this blockbuster international game underway.

Musiala misses out

Klopp is forced into a last-minute change as Musiala seems to have picked up a knock in the warm-up that means he won't feature tonight. Amiri replaces him in the team.

Not just Klopp getting a special welcome

Dutch fans have displayed a large banner welcoming Xavi as national team head coach ahead of tonight's game.

Treu makes Germany debut

A player that Lothar Matthäus described as “a little terrier who reminds me of Berti Vogts". Check out his highlights below.

0:28

Watch: Philipp Treu's highlight reel

Netherlands team news

Xavi, meanwhile, opts for two changes from the Dutch side that lost on penalties to Morocco at the World Cup as he also takes charge of his first game. Timber and Reijnders start in place of Aké and de Jong.

Germany team news

Klopp elects for six changes from the side that lost to Paraguay at the World Cup under Nagelsmann, as Treu makes his Germany debut at right-back. Alongside Treu, ter Stegen, Schlotterbeck, Musiala, Adeyemi and Schade all come into the team.

Starting line-up: Netherlands

Formation:4-3-3

Crysencio Summerville

Netherlands subs

Flekken, Roefs, Aké, Frimpong, Geertruida, Hato, Koopmeiners, Til, Veerman, Lang, Meerdink, van Bommel

Starting line-up: Germany

Formation:4-2-3-1

Marc-André ter Stegen

Germany subs

Dahmen, Nübel, Behrens, Bisseck, Rosenfelder, Vagnoman, Engelhardt, Führich, Stach, Ebnoutalib, Gnabry

A look at the venue

Tonight's venue is the Johan Cruijff Arena, the home of Ajax.

Ter Stegen on facing the Netherlands

"We’ve only had a few sessions together, but [against the Netherlands] we’ll try to focus on various aspects we want to implement. Will it always work? Probably not. But we’ll do everything we can, and we have to embrace it and internalise everything as quickly as possible - hopefully with a good result."

Ter Stegen on the atmosphere within the Germany camp

"There were a lot of new faces, and it’s very interesting to see how a different kind of energy emerges - which doesn’t mean it was better or worse before. The team needs to find itself, and the coach wants to get an overview. I find it a very interesting approach to invite so many players in order to get a feel for them."

Germany to wear final Adidas kit

Die Nationalelf will wear their final shirt made by Adidas against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League, signalling an end to a 72-year collaboration between the DFB and the shirt supplier. The shirt itself features gold vertical stripes on a black background and is currently unavailable for purchase. The shirt could also be worn when Germany face Greece (twice) and Serbia during this international break.

Bambasé Conté to miss out against the Netherlands

Klopp called up 24 players for his first two internationals, but under UEFA regulations only 23 may be included in each matchday squad. Hoffenheim's Bambasé Conté was the name that was absent from the DFB squad list to face the Netherlands. However, in his Wednesday press conference, Klopp made a pointed remark about the players' exclusion, whose identity he had not wanted to reveal at the time. “I’ve already spoken to the player. I can say that he will definitely be in the next squad,” said the 59-year-old.

Joachim Löw backs Klopp

“Jürgen Klopp has proven over many years at the highest level what quality he possesses as a coach and as a personality. He knows German football, has celebrated major international successes and has the ability to inspire people with an idea. That’s why, in my view, this is a very good solution. What matters now is giving him the necessary time and calm to implement his ideas.”

0:35

Watch: Klopp full of praise for his squad

Your best XI - the results!

You have been voting for your best Germany XI, and the results are in! Check the team and see whether it matches up to your own!

0:25

Watch: Klopp: "We want the players to become their best version"

0:38

Watch: Klopp's view on 'derby' against Netherlands

0:33

Watch: Behrens' Bundesliga best bits

Behrens at his best

The left-back has been a key member of Augsburg's strong start to the campaign, featuring in every Bundesliga minute for the side. By winning 55 percent of his duels and covering 12km per game on average, his engine has earned a place in Klopp's first Germany squad.

Engelhardt to shine?

Since arriving at Freiburg in the summer from Como, Engelhardt has impressed. He has won 59 percent of his duels, while he also found the back of the net in the heavy win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Only four years ago, he was playing for Freiburg's reserves. Now he could represent his country.

Say cheese!

Will Ebnoutalib seize his chance?

Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib has been named in Germany's senior squad for the first time.

Musiala on the move

Jamal Musiala will hope to pick up where he left off for Bayern Munich on Matchday 4, when he opened the scoring in a 7-0 victory over Union Berlin.

All smiles in training

Jürgen Klopp and his players appeared to be in positive spirits during Germany's final training session ahead of Thursday's Nations League opener.

4:09

Watch: Germany's new kids on the block

On their last visit...

There was no separating the two sides when Germany last visited Johan Cruijff ArenA in September 2024. Tijjani Reijnders put the hosts ahead in only the second minute, but efforts from Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich either side of half-time turned the game on its head - only for Denzel Dumfries to salvage a 2-2 draw for the Oranje.

2:55

Watch: Ebnoutalib's showreel

The highlights of Eintracht Frankfurt striker and Germany debutant Younes Ebnoutalib's Bundesliga campaign so far.

Impressive record

The Netherlands did not make it past the quarter-finals in 2025 but reached the final four in 2019 and 2023. They progressed all the way to the final seven years ago, only to lose 1-0 to host nation Portugal.

Semi-finalists in 2025

Germany made the Nations League finals for the first time last year after topping a group featuring the Oranje, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Julian Nagelsmann's side were named hosts of the four-team mini-tournament but were beaten by eventual winners Portugal in the semi-finals, before losing to France in the third-place play-off.

Previous meeting

These two teams last met in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. Germany were the winners on that occasion, prevailing 1-0 thanks to Jamie Leweling's second-half strike.

Ter Stegen back

After recovering from a serious injury, ter Stegen is back in the squad 15 months after his last cap. Having previously played second fiddle to Manuel Neuer for several years, he will now hope he can become number one in the long run.

Klopp explains squad selection

The decision to call up 44 players across two squads certainly raised eyebrows, but it gives the new head coach a chance to look at a variety of different players. "I want to get to know as many players as possible," he explained. "There is no A or B team. "The squads are put together in a way that makes sense on the pitch and in terms of character and experience. There are few names here that will surprise, but we wanted it to be a part of their development. We didn't look at what we were missing but rather what we have and realised how much football talent we have."

Head-to-head

These two nations have a storied rivalry, facing off 48 times in total, including the 1974 FIFA World Cup final - won by West Germany at the time. All in all, Germany have won 18 times to the Netherlands' 12, with the former unbeaten in the last four.

Familiar faces in Netherlands squad

Two players plying their trade in the Bundesliga have been included in the Dutch squad for this game. Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen) should deputise for Bart Verbruggen, while Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund) is included amongst the midfielders.

Squad changes

There have been a couple of changes to the squads for these Nations League fixtures. Brajan Gruda, who was in squad two, has had to withdraw due to an abdominal injury. Meanwhile, Lennart Karl, who was initially named in the group for this match and the one against Greece, has been moved to squad two for additional rest.

0:29

Watch: Germany's first squad arrives

The players selected for this encounter have arrived to begin their international duty.

Newbies

There are no fewer than seven uncapped players in the squad. Goalkeeper Dahmen, defenders Behrens, Rosenfelder and Treu, midfielders Conté and Engelhardt and striker Ebnoutalib will all be hoping to represent their country for the first time.

Germany squad

In an unconventional move, Klopp has named two 22-man squads for Germany's four internationals during this break. For this clash and the fixture versus Greece on Sunday 27 September, the squad is as follows: Marc-André ter Stegen, Alexander Nübel, Finn Dahmen, Hennes Behrens, Max Rosenfelder, Philipp Treu, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown, Josha Vagnoman, Yann-Aurel Bisseck, Joshua Kimmich, Nadiem Amiri, Yannik Engelhardt, Felix Nmecha, Anton Stach, Bambasé Conté, Kai Havertz, Chris Führich, Jamal Musiala, Lennart Karl, Younes Ebnoutalib, Serge Gnabry, Kevin Schade.

Klopp's curtain-riser

Following the departure of Julian Nagelsmann on the back of Germany's disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jürgen Klopp has stepped into the breach, signing a four-year contract to take over as head coach. After spells with Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, Klopp will now lead his country out, with his latest dugout reign to begin in the Dutch capital. In his first outing, he will face another head coach beginning a new journey, with former Barcelona midfielder Xavi the newly appointed Netherlands boss.

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action as Germany face the Netherlands at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday 24 September (kick-off: 8.45pm CEST), getting their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign underway.

Summary

Klopp: "Very pleased with the passion we showed"

Full-time: Netherlands 1-1 Germany

That could have been the winner

Gakpo levels at the death

Cody Gakpo

GOAL!

Added time

Van Bommel forces a good stop

Deflected wide

Van Hecke denied

Substitution

Substitution

Ebnoutalib heads wide

That could have gone anywhere

Another debut

Substitution

Substitution

Will we see another goal?

A solid return

Another Dutch chance

Adeyemi skies it

Treu denied

Amiri in the book

Yellow card

Yellow card

Inches away

Substitution

Substitution

Chaos in the box

Over

Big chance

Adeyemi blazes over

Veerman is on

Substitution

Dumfries heads over

Threatening

Back underway

Half-time: Netherlands 0-1 Germany

Headed over

Adeyemi almost gets free

Additional time

Blocked

Ter Stegen with two quick saves

Good chance

Adeyemi misses a sitter

Substitution

Nmecha fires Germany in front

Felix Nmecha

GOAL!

Ebnoutalib denied

Havertz can't continue

Substitution

Off target

A stoppage in play

Another yellow

Yellow card

First booking

Yellow card

The hosts are on top

Plenty of early action

Goal disallowed

Reijnders denied

Brobbey almost breaks free

Dragged wide

Ter Stegen gets his gloves on the ball

Dangerous cross

Good early tempo

We're underway

Players on the pitch

Musiala misses out

Not just Klopp getting a special welcome

Treu makes Germany debut

Watch: Philipp Treu's highlight reel

Netherlands team news

Germany team news

Starting line-up: Netherlands

Netherlands subs

Starting line-up: Germany

Germany subs