- Fervor for Blitztor: German DFB Squad Draws 2-2 in Netherlands
Unexpected Setback, then Determined Effort, and a Drawn Game: Despite Significant Defensive Challenges, the National Squad Earns a Point in Holland. Following the Swiftest Counter-Goal in Half a Century, Julian Nagelsmann's Team, Boasting the Highly Anticipated Entertainers Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, Secured a 2:2 (2:1) Draw in Amsterdam with Notable Defensive Gamble and Passion.
Deniz Undav (38th minute) notched his maiden goal for the national team, filling in for the injured Niclas Füllkrug, and Joshua Kimmich (45+3) turned the tide before the break, after Tijjani Reijnders' speedy goal (2nd minute) for the Netherlands. However, Denzel Dumfries (50th minute) leveled the score once more with another swift Dutch goal in front of 50,109 spectators at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Three days after the 5:0 triumph against Hungary, the Netherlands proved to be a much more formidable adversary in the group-topping confrontation in League 3 of the Nations League. Despite the draw, the German team remains on top of the table and will face the Netherlands again in Munich on October 14th, with a potential semifinals berth in sight.
Nagelsmann can take pride in the turnaround following the home European Championship, despite the team's incapacity to outsmart Ronald Koeman's squad. Nevertheless, the team's resilience was noteworthy.
Unexpected Letdown for the German Squad
"Our aim is to create a moment that will be etched in memory," Nagelsmann had declared. However, the team encountered a harsh wake-up call after the victory against Hungary, as the Dutch team caught them off guard within 99 seconds. A long pass from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was chest-passed by Brian Brobbey to former Bayern star Ryan Gravenberch, whose through-pass left the German defense vulnerable.
This led to the swiftest goal conceded by the German team in half a century. During the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands, Johan Neeskens had scored earlier, in just 86 seconds.
The Dutch team's quick-strike approach caused numerous problems, revealing sizable openings in the German defense. Both central defenders, Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah, received yellow cards within the first 25 minutes. In midfield, Robert Andrich and Pascal Groß struggled to exert control.
Given the risky orientation of the German team's play, the scoreline could have been worse. Denzel Dumfries' header (15th minute) and Xavi Simons' opportunity (21st minute) from Leipzig could have extended the Dutch advantage. Nagelsmann and co-trainer Sandro Wagner were pondering alternatives from the bench.
Under the previous coach Hansi Flick, the German team might have crumbled following such a subpar performance. However, the team has evolved under Nagelsmann since the successful home European Championship, due in part to the contributions of Musiala and Wirtz, who were once again crucial figures.
Undav Finds the Back of the Net for the First Time
The Dutch team also aided their own undoing. Musiala intercepted a weak pass from his ex-Bayern teammate Matthijs de Ligt, and the ball reached Wirtz via Kai Havertz and Deniz Undav. Wirtz's shot was saved by Verbruggen, but Undav converted the rebound for his debut goal.
For the Stuttgart player who had replaced injured Niclas Füllkrug, it was his first goal in his fourth international appearance. Yet, it was not the end of the story. After a shift in possession from Andrich to the left side, the hosts once again faltered in their defense. David Raum kicked the ball into the middle, where Undav set up Kimmich. It was Munich's seventh goal in their 93rd international match, but the first under Kimmich's leadership as captain.
The advantage at halftime was provisional - and fleeting. Nagelsmann introduced Waldemar Anton for Tah, but the line of defense did not tighten up. Especially Brobbey posed serious issues for the German side. The strong Ajax striker was also responsible for breaking through after a swift counter-attack against Schlotterbeck and setting up Dumfries for the goal. Already in the counterattack, Havertz had a golden chance to take the lead back, but, like against Hungary, the Arsenal forward failed to capitalize (52.). Raum also missed an excellent opportunity with his header (71.).
Both teams played aggressively, and physicality was not absent. At least Nagelsmann's team did not concede further and deserved the point with great determination.
Despite the yellow cards given to Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah early in the game, Deniz Undav, stepping in for the injured Niclas Füllkrug, managed to score his first international goal for Germany, boosted by assistance from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, which momentarily put the DFB team ahead. Unfortunately, Denzel Dumfries, representing the Netherlands, responded with another swift goal, keeping the DFB team's lead short-lived.
