Late Gakpo Goal Helps Netherlands Draw 1-1 With Germany in Nations League
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
AMSTERDAM: Cody Gakpo scored a stoppage-time equaliser as the Netherlands held Germany to a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Nations League Group A2 opener on Thursday.
The result denied Germany coach Jurgen Klopp a winning start in his first match in charge of the national team.
Germany took the lead in the 32nd minute when Felix Nmecha finished from close range after Philipp Treu delivered a cutback.
The visitors had already lost forward Kai Havertz to an injury in the 30th minute. Playmaker Jamal Musiala was also ruled out before kick-off after experiencing muscle discomfort during the warm-up.
The Netherlands thought they had taken the lead earlier when captain Virgil van Dijk headed the ball into the net from a corner. However, the goal was ruled out by VAR after a foul on Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Germany created another good opportunity before half-time when Karim Adeyemi missed from close range.
The Netherlands increased the pressure after the break, but goalkeeper ter Stegen made several important saves to keep Germany ahead.
The hosts eventually found their breakthrough in stoppage time when Gakpo completed a quick counter-attack with a volley to make it 1-1.
The draw also gave Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez a point in his first Nations League match in charge.
Haaland Leads Norway to Victory
In another Group A4 match, Erling Haaland scored twice, including the winning goal in the 74th minute, as Norway defeated Denmark 3-2 in Oslo.
Norway established a 2-0 lead through Oscar Bobb and Haaland before Denmark fought back to level the match in the second half.
Norway were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when David Moller Wolfe received a second yellow card.
Portugal Begin Title Defence With Win
Defending Nations League champions Portugal started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wales.
Joao Felix scored the only goal of the match in the 22nd minute with a long-range effort. Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out.
Wales came close to an equaliser after the break, with Brennan Johnson hitting the crossbar, while Portugal defender Ruben Dias made two important blocks to preserve his team’s lead.
Other Results
Austria defeated Israel 3-1 in a League B encounter after Israel’s Saied Abu Farchi scored in the 55th minute. He was sent off shortly afterwards after receiving a second booking.
In Belgrade, Greece came from behind to beat Serbia 2-1, with Tasos Douvikas scoring the winning goal deep into stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Malta secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Andorra in League D. French-born players scored all three goals, with Malta’s Irvin Cardona and Teddy Teuma finding the net after Guillaume Lopez had given Andorra the lead.
