Netherlands 2-3 Germany
A late goal from Nico Schulz gave Germany a much needed win and a great start to its European Championship qualifiers.
In a game of two halves the Germans went 2-0 up only to be pegged back by the Dutch, before Schulz scored to avenge the Nations League thumping his side had in Holland back in October.
The Euro 2020 tie of the weekend between these two great nations certainly didn’t disappoint. It was a cracker!
Germany coach Joachim Low started with an experimental side and they played without fear, two 23 year olds putting the visitors two up at the break as Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry both scored brilliant goals. But Ronald Koeman’s Oranje roared back in the second half to draw level, and as they sought a winner they were hit by a sucker punch.
The Netherlands vs Germany betting odds had Germany to win at 2.78; great value but it could have gone either way.
Highlights of the game
You have to wonder why Low left Leroy Sane at home during the World Cup and the Manchester City player asked that question again in the 15th minute. Toni Kroos released Nico Schulz down the left wing with a superb ball, and his first time cross was expertly collected by Sane, before he shot across Jasper Cillissen and into the far corner.
The Netherlands fought back immediately and Fulham striker Ryan Babel had two great chances to equalise, but Manuel Neuer made a stunning save to stop the first; and then Babel met a cross from Quincy Promes but fired straight at the Germany keeper.
Germany made Babel pay for his wastefulness in spectacular fashion. Serge Gnabry made the Netherlands’ vaunted centre back, Virgil van Dijk, look pretty ordinary as he skipped inside and unleashed a beautiful shot into the top right corner to make it 0-2.
That’s definitely one to watch in the Euro 2020 highlights package.
Sane almost made it three when he ran ahead of Van Dijk, but his low shot heading for the bottom corner was well saved by Cillissen. It’s been a while since the Oranje defence has looked so sluggish and Germany went into the break with a two goal lead.
Keeper Cillissen and centre back Van Dijk are second and third in the UEFA player rankings but they both had a torrid time in the first half.
The Netherlands had a lot to do, but they made a great start to the second half when Memphis Depay whipped in a lovely cross which Matthijs de Ligt glanced into the far corner to halve the deficit. Game on!
The Oranje crowd in the Johann Cruyff Arena came alive, and it wasn’t long before the stadium was bouncing when the home side drew level. As the ball skidded across the Germany box, Depay didn’t have much space but he had enough to fire a low shot into the corner.
There was so much more energy about the Dutch play in the second half and they were in the ascendancy. Neuer came out to smother the ball when Georginio Wijnaldum was through but that was as close as the Netherlands came.
And then, with the clock running down Germany snatched a winner. Marco Reus found Schulz in space and he fired home from 12 yards to snatch the points.
Neither of these teams are the hottest tips to win the tournament when the SBOBET Euro 2020 finals come around, but they both showed enough tonight to tempt a few backers.
Key statistics
In the last ten matches between these two big guns honours are now even with three wins each and four draws.
Germany’s win was the first in six competitive matches and their first win against the Dutch in four attempts. It ended a sequence of four home wins for the hosts.
Serge Gnabry’s stunning goal was his fifth in six international appearances.
What’s next?
The Netherlands have another huge game on the way in June when they play England in the UEFA Nations League semi-final. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are continuing their great run having hammered the Czech Republic 5-0 in their European Championships opener. That game will be well worth catching as two teams very much on the up will put on an entertaining show.
Germany’s next match is a Euro qualifier away to Belarus, who were beaten by the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening fixture and 2-1 by Northern Ireland tonight.
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