Germany conceded their fastest goal in 50 years but managed to take the lead before halftime, only to draw 2-2 against the Netherlands in Tuesday’s Nations League match.
The Dutch took an early lead when Tijjani Reijnders scored just 99 seconds into the match.
Germany, unsettled by the early strike, struggled in the opening half-hour, allowing several chances. However, the visitors regained their footing and scored twice within seven minutes through Deniz Undav and captain Joshua Kimmich to go ahead before the break.
Denzel Dumfries, who missed an early opportunity, equalized shortly after halftime. Despite multiple chances for both teams — including a close-range miss from Kai Havertz — the match ended in a draw.
Both teams entered the game on the back of strong wins against their Nations League group opponents. Germany secured a 5-0 victory over Hungary, while the Netherlands defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann made changes to his lineup, with striker Niclas Fuellkrug withdrawing on game day. Nagelsmann chose not to return Kai Havertz to the center-forward position, where he had featured during Euro 2024, and instead opted for Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav to make his first start for the national team.
The Netherlands capitalized on Germany’s high defensive line early, with Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch delivering a pass to Reijnders, who found space and calmly slotted the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The early goal, the quickest Germany has conceded in five decades, shocked the visitors. The Netherlands nearly doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Dumfries missed a header with an open goal.
Germany eventually settled, and Undav equalized in the 38th minute, finishing a rebound after Florian Wirtz’s shot was saved. The visitors then went ahead in stoppage time, with Kimmich tapping in from an Undav assist.
However, the Dutch quickly responded, leveling the score six minutes into the second half. Dumfries tapped in after Jamal Musiala lost possession in the box.
Germany had a chance to retake the lead moments later when Wirtz found Havertz in front of an open net, but the Arsenal forward missed over the bar.
Both teams now sit level on points in their Nations League group, with Germany ahead on goal difference.
