Netherlands 1-1 Germany: Cody Gakpo's stoppage-time goal denies Jurgen Klopp debut win
Germany were denied victory in Jurgen Klopp's first game as head coach. Cody Gakpo, a player Klopp brought to Liverpool, equalised deep into stoppage time for the Netherlands in the Nations League. Felix Nmecha had given the visitors the lead at the Johan Cruijff Arena in a controversial moment.
ByNatilla4 min read
Jurgen Klopp's first night as Germany head coach ended without a win. Cody Gakpo, one of the players Klopp signed during his time at Liverpool, struck in stoppage time to earn the Netherlands a 1-1 draw in the opening round of the Nations League at the Johan Cruijff Arena. The match also marked the first game in charge for new Netherlands boss Xavi Hernandez.
- Gakpo equalised in the 90+2 minute with a volley from a deep delivery to deny Germany all three points.
- Felix Nmecha had put Germany ahead in a controversial first-half move involving a Brian Brobbey injury.
- Virgil van Dijk had a header ruled out after a VAR check that would have put the hosts in front.
- Klopp and Xavi both made their debuts as national team coaches in the group's opening fixture.
Gakpo punishes his former manager in stoppage time
The Liverpool winger arrived at the perfect moment for the Netherlands. After a deep ball into the box, Gakpo connected cleanly on the volley to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen and send the home crowd wild. The goal rewarded a sustained spell of pressure from the Dutch, who had pinned Germany back for much of the second half. Guus Til even came within inches of a winner when his header drifted just wide in the fourth minute of added time.
The controversy behind Germany's opener
Germany's goal came from a counter-attack that infuriated the home side. Brian Brobbey, the Sunderland striker, was down on the turf with a hamstring problem. Klopp's players chose to continue the move rather than put the ball out, and the play ended with Felix Nmecha firing past the Dutch goalkeeper. The decision to keep going sparked fury among the Netherlands players and the Amsterdam crowd.
Van Dijk denied by VAR
The Dutch captain, another former Liverpool player who worked with Klopp, thought he had scored the opener in the 16th minute with a header from a corner. VAR ruled the effort out after spotting an offence by Brobbey inside the area. The hosts pushed hard for an equaliser throughout the second half, with Ruben van Bommel forcing a save from Ter Stegen from distance late on.
What Netherlands and Germany are chasing in the Nations League
The Group A2 opener left both teams with a point and the feeling that the battle for top spot will be tight. The 2026/27 Nations League offers places in the finals and shapes the seeding pots for major international tournaments. Germany wanted a strong start under Klopp, while the Netherlands are looking to build under Xavi with a refreshed squad.
Two high-profile debuts under the spotlight
The game brought together two elite coaches starting new chapters with national teams. Klopp returned to the touchline after leaving Liverpool, while Xavi did so following his spell at Barcelona. Both sides showed glimpses of their new managers' styles, although the draw suggested there is work still to be done as both projects settle.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score between the Netherlands and Germany?
The game ended 1-1 at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Felix Nmecha scored for Germany and Cody Gakpo equalised for the Netherlands in the 90+2 minute.
Why was Felix Nmecha's goal controversial?
Brian Brobbey was on the ground with a muscle problem and the German players decided not to stop play. The move continued and Nmecha scored to give Germany a 1-0 lead.
How many goals did Cody Gakpo score against Germany?
Gakpo scored the Netherlands' only goal of the match. It was a stoppage-time volley that denied Klopp a win in his first game as Germany head coach.