Cody Gakpo scored a stoppage-time volley to earn the Netherlands a 1-1 draw with Germany at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday 24 September 2026, denying Jürgen Klopp victory on his first match in charge of Germany. It was also the first game for new Dutch coach Xavi Hernández.
Netherlands vs Germany: Final Score and Goalscorers
Netherlands 1-1 Germany (UEFA Nations League Group A2, Johan Cruijff Arena)
- Felix Nmecha, 32' (Germany): put the visitors ahead
- Cody Gakpo, 92' (Netherlands): a spectacular volley from Ruben van Bommel's cross from the left, finishing off a swift counter-attack
Match Report: How the Netherlands Fought Back
It was an intense and, at times, controversial match. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk had a goal harshly disallowed by VAR for a foul on Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. Germany then suffered an injury blow in the 30th minute when Kai Havertz was forced off, but they took the lead just two minutes later through Nmecha.
Germany held that lead for the rest of the match, with more scuffles breaking out in the second half, notably after a rough challenge from Nadiem Amiri on Denzel Dumfries, who was able to continue. The game was briefly stopped in the closing stages when a young fan ran onto the pitch to take a selfie with Tijjani Reijnders.
The Netherlands kept pushing, and their persistence paid off in the second minute of stoppage time. Van Bommel, on as a substitute, delivered a superb cross from the left that Gakpo, a former Klopp player at Liverpool, met with a stunning volley to snatch a point.
What the Result Means
For Germany: Klopp took charge in July following Germany's surprise early exit from the World Cup under Julian Nagelsmann. This result denies him the perfect start, though a point on the road against the Netherlands is still a reasonable opening result in Group A2.
For the Netherlands: Xavi Hernández, the former Barcelona midfielder and manager, said afterwards that he felt his side deserved to win. Their second-half performance, capped by Gakpo's equaliser, gives him a platform to build on heading into the rest of the group stage.
FAQ: Netherlands vs Germany
What was the score in Netherlands vs Germany?
1-1 at the Johan Cruijff Arena on 24 September 2026.
Who scored in Netherlands vs Germany?
Felix Nmecha for Germany in the 32nd minute, and Cody Gakpo for the Netherlands in the second minute of stoppage time.
Was this Jurgen Klopp's first game as Germany manager?
Yes, and it ended in a draw rather than the win he would have wanted.
Was this also Xavi Hernandez's first game as Netherlands coach?
Yes, his first match in charge also ended in a 1-1 draw.
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