Germany's impressive run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a period of indifferent results rejuvenated their public, and the 5-0 victory over Hungary in their 2024/25 opener was further proof that Julian Nagelsmann’s men are ready to return to international football’s top table.
The trip to Amsterdam presented Germany their first real test in this new era, especially with the Oranje beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 in their last match. And the in-form hosts showed no signs of slowing down, hitting the front inside two minutes here.
Brian Brobbey held the ball up well before Ryan Gravenberch’s through ball gave Tijjani Reinders plenty of time and space to pick his spot beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Florian Wirtz almost netted a quick equaliser, but the Dutch were the more threatening side in the opening half-hour as they looked to pounce on the break.
Ronald Koeman’s men would have been two up had Denzel Dumfries put his unmarked header from Xavi Simons’ free-kick on target, while the latter also forced Ter Stegen into a strong save.
As the half progressed, however, Germany gained more of a foothold and by the break, they had turned the game on its head.
First, Deniz Undav fired home his first international goal after Wirtz’s deflected shot had been saved by Bart Verbruggen before Joshua Kimmich netted his maiden strike as captain when he finished off a blistering move that had involved a stunning long ball from Robert Andrich and first-touch passes from David Raum and Undav.
The Netherlands were perhaps slightly unfortunate to be behind at the interval, but it took them a matter of minutes to restore parity once more following the restart.
Brobbey had already caused the German centre-backs all sorts of problems by the time he again held off and turned Nico Schlotterbeck in the penalty area, before laying it on a plate for Dumfries to head home.
In what was quickly becoming a classic, Kai Havertz tapped over from close range with the net at his mercy before Ter Stegen thwarted Gravenberch’s low effort from outside the area.
As the match approached its climax, clear-cut opportunities were increasingly rare. Germany looked the likelier to score, but in the end, the two teams had to make do with a point apiece.
That sees them locked at the top of the group with four points each, although Germany find themselves at the summit due to their superior goal difference. Nagelsmann and Co. next face Bosnia in October, while the Netherlands will face Hungary.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)
