Cody Gakpo scores the 1-1 for Oranje in the UEFA Nations League game against Germany in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on September 24, 2026.
Cody Gakpo scores the 1-1 for Oranje in the UEFA Nations League game against Germany in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on September 24, 2026.
Oranje snatched a last-second draw against Germany on Thursday evening in the first match under the new manager, Xavi. Oranje drew 1-1 with Germany, who were also playing their first game under new manager Jurgen Klopp, in the UEFA Nations League thanks to a last-second goal by Cody Gakpo, at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.
Xavi made very few changes to the usual lineups by former manager Ronald Koeman. The only significant change was a starting spot for Quinten Timber. The former Feyenoord midfielder, who is currently on loan at English side Crystal Palace, took the midfield spot next to Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders.
Germany started with intent, pushing Oranje back in the first few minutes. Despite this, it was Oranje who seemed to have taken the lead in the 12th minute. Virgil van Dijk thought he had scored the first goal of the Xavi era from a corner by Reijnders, but Spanish referee Hernandez Hernandez disallowed the goal for what he deemed to be a foul by Brian Brobbey on German keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
This led to Oranje pushing Germany back until Klopp’s side broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Germany continued playing despite an injury to Brobbey, who immediately signaled for a substitution. Captain Joshua Kimmich found Phillip Treu on the wing; his low cross was back-heeled towards goal by Karim Adeyemi, blocked by Jan-Paul van Hecke, before Felix Nmecha converted to get the first goal for the side under Klopp.
It should have been 2-0 shortly after. Nathaniel Brown used his pace to burn past Van Dijk before playing a pass across the box to Adeyemi, who only needed to place the ball into the empty net, but he hit the effort far over.
This almost proved costly for Germany as Xavi’s side created their biggest chance of the game a few minutes later. Denzel Dumfries’ cross found Crysencio Summerville unmarked in the box, but his header was straight at Ajax keeper Ter Stegen.
Mexx Meerdink, who came on for Brobbey, showed his quality instantly with a skillful backheel for Denzel Dumfries in the early phase of the second half, but Dumfries effort was saved by Ter Stegen.
The keeper, who some may say was fortunate regarding his handling of the corner for Van Dijk’s disallowed goal, made up for another shaky attempt at a catch in the second half. Ter Stegen dropped the cross before saving Meerdink’s effort from close range. Meerdink’s second effort a few seconds later found the net, but this was then disallowed for a foul.
The AZ striker, playing his first game for the national side, somehow managed to avoid getting on the scoresheet in the 66th minute. Dumfries’ low driven cross found Meerdink in the six-yard box, but his sliding effort somehow went wide of the goal.
He had one more chance before the end of the game, hitting the post with a shot that Ter Stegen deflected on to the upright.
Oranje got their equalizer in the 92nd minute. It was Cody Gakpo who got the first goal under Xavi, finishing spectacularly after a truly magnificent outside-of-the-boot cross from Ruben van Bommel.
It could have gotten even better for Oranje in injury time. Joey Veerman, returning to the national side for the first time in years due to a disagreement with former coach Ronald Koeman, found Guus Til unmarked in the box, but his header went wide of the goal.