Germany Failed to Win, Cody Gakpo Cancels Der Panzer's Lead in Injury Time

The Netherlands had to settle for a draw after being held 1-1 by Germany in the opening fixture of 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Group A. Cody Gakpo's injury time goal saved Oranje from defeat at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, early Friday morning WIB.

Germany had been on course for victory after Felix Nmecha put the away side ahead in the first half. That lead vanished in the final minutes when Gakpo finished off Netherlands' attacking sequence with a volleyed strike.

With this result, both Netherlands and Germany collected one point each. Germany sits in second place of the provisional Group 2 standings, while Netherlands ranks one position below them. Greece currently tops the group after beating Serbia 2-1.

This Netherlands vs Germany fixture marked the competitive debut for both nations' new head coaches. Xavi Hernandez took charge of Netherlands for his very first match, while Jurgen Klopp led the German national side for the first time.

Netherlands initially scored first in the 12th minute, as Virgil van Dijk headed home Tijjani Reijnders' corner kick. VAR ruled out this goal after Bryan Brobbey was judged to have interfered with German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Germany suffered a setback in the 30th minute when Kai Havertz picked up an injury. Younes Ebnoutalib came on as his replacement to make his senior German National Team debut.

Only two minutes after stepping onto the pitch, Ebnoutalib already tested Netherlands' defence. He fired a shot from a tight angle which was safely caught by Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen.

Germany took the lead in the 32nd minute. Felix Nmecha capitalised on a Dutch defensive error during clearance that fell towards Karim Adeyemi.

The German midfielder did not waste the opportunity. His right-footed shot flew past Verbruggen to put Germany 1-0 ahead.

Netherlands pushed for an equaliser before half time. Crysencio Summerville and Gakpo both got chances within the 41st and 42nd minute, but Ter Stegen remained alert guarding Germany's goal.

Netherlands increased their pressure after the half time break. Denzel Dumfries almost levelled the score in the 60th minute after receiving a backheel pass from Mexx Meerdink, but his shot was blocked by Ter Stegen.

Two minutes later, Meerdink found himself in a good goalscoring position amid a scramble inside Germany's penalty box, but Die Mannschaft's backline managed to stop his attempt.

Tensions rose on the pitch afterwards. Dumfries and Nadim Amiri were involved in a confrontation following a heavy tackle from the German player.

Ter Stegen remained the biggest barrier for Netherlands. The Barcelona goalkeeper denied Meerdink's left-footed shot in the 72nd minute, then made another critical save to stop Ruben van Bommel's long range strike in the 88th minute.

Germany's defence finally collapsed during injury time.

At the 90+2 minute mark, Van Bommel delivered an accurate trivela cross into the danger zone. Gakpo met the ball perfectly with a volley.

Ter Stegen could not reach the shot. The score became 1-1 and remained unchanged until the final whistle.

For their next fixtures, Netherlands will travel to face Serbia away, while Germany will host Greece.