UEFA Nations League: Netherlands beat Germany 3-0

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The Netherlands booked a 3-0 victory over their arch-rivals Germany in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. The 55,000 football fans witnessed the Oranje's first win against Die Mannschaft since 16 years ago.

With debutants Steven Bergwijn (21) and Denzel Dumfries (22), both from PSV, in the starting line-up, Dutch Ronald Koeman continued to build the future by giving youngsters a chance, with Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong (21) keeping his place and Matthijs de Ligt (19) in defense. Bergwijn and Dumfries showed no stage fright on the right side of the pitch and caused Germany difficulties.

On the other hand Germany had some possibilities through striker Mark Uth after some lackluster Dutch defending but goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen had no problems with the attempts by the German debutant. The home-team came in front in the 30th minute after Ryan Babel headed a corner by Memphis Depay on the cross-bar and Virgil van Dijk headed in the rebound.

Netherlands and Germany national football teams' players pose before their UEFA Nations League match at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, October 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Dutch had more chances with a cross by Dumfries from the right missed by Babel and a header by Depay also missing the target, while Thomas Muller hit the wrong side of the net on behalf of Germany.

In the first part of the second half the Netherlands remained the better team, with Dumfries firing a shot on Neuer and shot by Babel going wide. With the entrance of Leroy Sane for Muller and Julian Draxler for Emre Can the Germans became more dangerous and the pressure on the Dutch rose.

Sane missed a huge chance in the 65th minute, but in de counter attack Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum also wasted good chances. Three minutes from time Depay secured the win for the side of Koeman after a beautiful attack and the Olympique Lyonnais forward also hit the cross-bar minutes later. Wijnaldum made it an emphatic win with the third Dutch goal in injury-time.

Memphis Depay (L), Jonas Hector (C) and Mats Hummels (R) battle for the ball in the match between the Netherlands vs. Germany in the UEFA Nations League at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, October 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

It was the first win for the Netherlands on Germany in a competitive match since the 3-1 win over Germany at Euro 1992. The last friendly Dutch win over Germany dated back to 2002 in Gelsenkirchen (3-1).

Moreover, it was the last sign that after years of crisis in Dutch football, missing Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands is on the rise again with a new promising generation. This is a new beginning for the Netherlands, while darker times loom for Germany, the world champion of 2014.

The Netherlands got their first points in Group 1 of League A in the Nations League, after last month's 2-1 defeat against France in Paris. Germany are still without a win after the 0-0 against France in Munich in September. Next up on Tuesday, there will be France vs Germany in Paris and Belgium vs the Netherlands in Brussels.

Goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen and Frank de Boer of Netherlands clear the danger from Karl-Heinz Riedle of Germany during the UEFA European Championships 1992 Group 2 match between Netherlands and Germany held at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden, June 18, 1992. /VCG Photo

Results of other games on Saturday

Slovakia 1-2 Czech Republic

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Denmark

Bulgaria 2-1 Cyprus

Norway 1-0 Slovenia

Georgia 3-0 Andorra

Latvia 1-1 Kazakhstan

FYR Macedonia 4-1 Liechtenstein

Armenia 0-1 Gibraltar

(Cover: Virgil van Dijk, center back for Premier League club Liverpool and captain of the Dutch national team /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency