Germany settle for 1-1 draw in Klopp's first match
Germany's first match under Jürgen Klopp ended without the victory they appeared set to secure, as Cody Gakpo's late volley earned the Netherlands a 1-1 draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2026.
Felix Nmecha scored Germany's opener in the 32nd minute, but the visitors were unable to turn their advantage into three points. Gakpo equalised in the second minute of stoppage time, converting Ruben van Bommel's cross to give new Netherlands coach Xavi Hernández a point in his first game in charge.
The result began Germany's 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign with a point, but the performance also showed Klopp how much work remains as he reshapes the national team after taking charge in July.
Netherlands create early problems for Germany
Germany's starting XI featured Marc-André ter Stegen in goal, with Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck in central defence and Philipp Treu and Nathaniel Brown completing the back four.
Captain Joshua Kimmich partnered Nmecha in midfield, while Nadiem Amiri, Kevin Schade and Karim Adeyemi supported Kai Havertz in attack.
The Netherlands threatened early and thought they had taken the lead when Virgil van Dijk headed home from a corner in the 13th minute. VAR intervened, however, and the goal was disallowed for a foul on ter Stegen.
Germany gradually became more settled after an uneven opening phase.
Nmecha puts Germany ahead
The breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute.
Nmecha finished from close range to put Germany 1-0 ahead shortly after Havertz had been forced off with an injury.
Germany subsequently had an opportunity to increase their advantage, but Karim Adeyemi missed from close range, leaving the Netherlands within one goal of recovering the match.
That missed opportunity became increasingly significant as the hosts applied more pressure after half-time.
Ter Stegen keeps Germany ahead
One of Germany's strongest individual performances came from goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
The Netherlands created repeated opportunities during the second half, forcing the goalkeeper into several important saves as Germany struggled to control the match.
Sportsdunia rated ter Stegen 8.5/10, its highest Germany rating, while Bavarian Football Works also highlighted his contribution among Germany's standout performances. Player ratings are editorial assessments rather than objective statistics, but both reflected the goalkeeper's importance in keeping Germany ahead for most of the contest.
Ter Stegen's performance was particularly important during a second half in which the Netherlands increasingly pushed Germany towards their own goal. Reuters reported that the Dutch repeatedly threatened before finally finding their equaliser.
Gakpo strikes in stoppage time
Germany's resistance finally broke in the 92nd minute.
The Netherlands launched a quick attack and Ruben van Bommel delivered the cross for Cody Gakpo, who volleyed home to make it 1-1.
It was a decisive contribution from Gakpo and ensured Xavi avoided defeat in his first game as Netherlands manager.
Bavarian Football Works selected Gakpo for its “Jersey Swap” recognition, arguing that his ability to finish when the Netherlands needed it separated him from several teammates who had also created opportunities.
Germany's individual performances: who stood out?
Among Germany's players, the clearest positives were ter Stegen and Nmecha.
Nmecha supplied the goal and gave Germany an important presence in midfield, while ter Stegen's saves prevented the Netherlands from equalising considerably earlier.
Sportsdunia gave Nmecha 7.8/10, followed by Adeyemi on 7.4 and Treu on 7.1. Kimmich received 6.5, while Amiri was rated 6.2.
Those numbers should be treated as one publication's assessment rather than definitive measures of performance. The broader match evidence nevertheless supports the view that Germany's goalkeeper and goalscorer were central to securing the point.
Injuries complicate Klopp's first international window
The draw was not Germany's only concern.
Jamal Musiala was withdrawn before kickoff after experiencing muscle discomfort during the warm-up, forcing Germany into a late change.
Havertz then had to leave the game around the half-hour mark after suffering an injury.
The Netherlands also suffered an injury setback. Brian Brobbey went off in the 35th minute clutching his hamstring, and the Dutch football association subsequently confirmed that he would leave the squad. Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee was called up as his replacement.
Klopp sees positives but acknowledges room for improvement
Klopp's assessment reflected both sides of Germany's performance.
He said he had wanted the victory but accepted the draw, while expressing satisfaction with several individual performances and the passion shown by his players.
He also acknowledged:
“We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.”
That may be the most useful summary of Germany's opening match under their new manager.
There were encouraging signs—Nmecha's goal, ter Stegen's performance and periods of attacking threat—but Germany were unable to maintain enough control to protect their lead.
What the 1-1 draw tells us about Klopp's Germany
One match provides limited evidence about a new manager's direction, particularly after only a short international training camp.
Still, Germany's opening Nations League fixture offered an early indication of Klopp's priorities. There was intensity and an attempt to play at tempo, but the team became vulnerable when the Netherlands increased the pressure.
Germany also benefited substantially from ter Stegen's goalkeeping and could not convert opportunities to establish a two-goal cushion.
The Netherlands ultimately had enough chances to justify the equaliser. Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk said his team “deserved at least a point,” while Klopp accepted that Germany still needed to improve its football.
For both Klopp and Xavi, the 1-1 result represents a starting point rather than a verdict on their new national-team projects.
Match Snapshot
Competition: UEFA Nations League 2026/27
Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Date: September 24, 2026
Result: Netherlands 1-1 Germany
Germany scorer: Felix Nmecha, 32'
Netherlands scorer: Cody Gakpo, 90+2'
Germany head coach: Jürgen Klopp
Netherlands head coach: Xavi Hernández
Sources
The match result, goals, line-ups and Germany's official account are confirmed by the German Football Association (DFB) match report. Reuters reporting provides additional details on the match, injuries and comments from Klopp and Van Dijk.
The “Match Awards” framing and individual observations come from Bavarian Football Works' match awards article, while Sportsdunia's player ratings provide an additional editorial assessment of individual performances.
