Cody Gakpo volleyed in a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw for the Netherlands against Germany in their Nations League Group A2 opener on Thursday, denying new coach Juergen Klopp a winning start.
Former Liverpool manager Klopp, who took charge of Germany in July following their shock early World Cup exit following defeat by Paraguay, looked to have made a winning start before Gakpo rounded off a quick counter-attack.
That gave new Netherlands coach, Xavi Hernandez, appointed in August after Ronald Koeman stepped down following their World Cup round of 32 elimination, something to smile about.
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. “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,” he said.
The Germans got bad news before the start with playmaker Jamal Musiala ruled out after feeling muscle pain during the warm-up, but they still made a high-tempo start.
They were left stunned in the 13th minute when Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk headed in from a corner but his effort was overruled by VAR for a foul on Germany keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
There was more bad news for Klopp’s team with forward Kai Havertz taken off injured in the 30th, but the visitors took the lead two minutes later with Felix Nmecha slotting in from close range.
Karim Adeyemi should have scored again but he somehow missed the target from five metres out.
The Dutch upped the pressure after the break and repeatedly came close to an equaliser with Germany’s new number one Ter Stegen making several good saves.
But their dominance finally paid off with Gakpo’s late strike.
“We deserved at least a point,” van Dijk said. “We played well at times.. but after only three days working it was a good performance.”
