Jurgen Klopp was denied a debut win in the Germany dugout as his former player Cody Gakpo snatched an injury-time equaliser for the Netherlands in the Nations League.
The Netherlands, also entering a new era under Xavi, thought they took the lead through another ex-star of Klopp in captain Virgil van Dijk, only for his header in the 16th minute was chalked off for an offence by Brian Brobbey.
Brobbey was then involved in Germany’s controversial opener, with Klopp’s players opting against pausing play to allow the Sunderland striker to receive treatment for a hamstring injury. They then went on to score through Felix Nmecha, sparking the wrath of the hosts.
The Netherlands probed throughout the second half for an equaliser and got what they deserved in the match’s dying moments, Gakpo latching onto a deep delivery to convert on the volley,
Follow all the latest updates from Netherlands vs Germany in our live blog below:
Read MoreJurgen Klopp pledges to reclaim German flag from ‘wrong people’ amid far-right rise
The risk that comes with Germany’s much-needed personality hire of Jurgen Klopp
Netherlands vs Germany live updates
- Jurgen Klopp and Xavi share the points on managerial bows for Germany and Netherlands
- Kai Havertz and Brian Brobbey forced off with hamstring injuries
- 90+2' GOAL! Gakpo comes back to haunt his former boss with late leveller [NED 1-1 GER]
- 33' GOAL! Nmecha controversially scores first goal of Klopp era [NED 0-1 GER]
- 16' NO GOAL! Van Dijk has opener ruled out by VAR [NED 0-0 GER]
Arsenal dealt injury blow as Havertz limps off
23:40 , Will CastleArsenal have been dealt an injury blow on the first night of the international break after Kai Havertz limped off during Germany’s clash with the Netherlands.
Havertz was chosen to start by Jurgen Klopp for the former Liverpool manager’s first outing in the Germany dugout, but his night was cut short after going down with what appeared to be a muscle problem.
After receiving treatment on his hamstring, which was heavily taped up, the forward was replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib on the half-hour mark.
Arsenal dealt injury blow as Kai Havertz limps off in Germany clash
Xavi's warm welcome
23:20 , Will Castle
Report and round-up: Jurgen Klopp denied debut Germany win as former player Cody Gakpo strikes late
23:00 , Will CastleCody Gakpo denied his former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a win in his first game in charge of Germany.
Felix Nmecha had put Germany ahead with what looked set to be the only goal of an intense Nations League match against the Netherlands at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
But Gakpo scored a spectacular volley at the death to earn the Dutch a deserved point.
Jurgen Klopp denied debut Germany win as former player Cody Gakpo strikes late
Around the grounds
22:40 , Will CastleHere are the other results from across the Nations League tonight:
- Andorra 1-2 Malta
- Serbia 1-2 Greece
- Liechtenstein 0-2 Lithuania
- Austria 3-1 Israel
- Kosovo 1-0 Republic of Ireland
- Norway 3-2 Denmark
- Portugal 1-0 Wales
Gakpo comes back to haunt his former boss
22:20 , Will CastleLiverpool’s stars were well up for it tonight, up against their former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Virgil van Dijk thought he’d headed in the opener, only for it to be chalked out by VAR.
But there was Cody Gakpo at the death to level and deny the man who brought him to Anfield a debut win.
Klopp and Xavi share the spoils on debut night
22:00 , Will Castle
FULL-TIME! Netherlands 1-1 Germany
21:43 , Will CastleOn the opening night for Jurgen Klopp and Xavi, it’s a point apiece!
Germany looked like they would cling on an advantage they gained controversially in the first half through Felix Nmecha, only for Klopp’s former player Cody Gakpo to equalise in stoppage time.
Netherlands 1-1 Germany
21:42 , Will Castle90+4 mins: CLOSE! That was the chance to win it! Guus Til heads just wide of the post, and that’ll be it.
Netherlands 1-1 Germany
21:41 , Will Castle90+3 mins: Germany have to play to final minute of this match with 10 men after an injury, and here come the Dutch...
GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 Germany (Gakpo, 90+2')
21:39 , Will CastleLiverpool’s Cody Gakpo strikes late on to deny his former boss a debut win!
The winger latches onto a delivery from deep to brilliantly convert on the volley.
It had been coming!
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:37 , Will Castle90+1 mins: Three minutes added on, for Jurgen Klopp’s side to hold on.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:36 , Will Castle89 mins: SAVE! Ruben van Bommel bends one from range after another Netherlands corner comes and goes, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen to parry away.
Germany are clinging onto this lead they’ve had for so long!
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:33 , Will Castle86 mins: More nerves from a Netherlands corner as the ball is looped up into the air, but in a crowded penalty area Jan Paul van Hecke can only nod a tame header down, collected by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:30 , Will Castle83 mins: After a brief delay thanks to a pitch invader, Xavi rolls the dice with a double change.
Guus Til and Ruben van Bommel are on for Tijjani Reijnders - who nearly got injured by the streaker - and Crysencio Summerville.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:29 , Will Castle81 mins: Nearly a bizarre goal for Germany as the ball ricochets off the chest of Younes Ebnoutalib as an orange shirt tries to clear, but fortunately for the hosts it flies wide of the post.
That would have put it to bed.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:28 , Will Castle80 mins: Another double change for Germany as Jurgen Klopp looks to see this debut win out.
Nadiem Amiri and Karim Adeyemi make way for Serge Gnabry and Yannick Engelhardt.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:24 , Will Castle77 mins: Can the Netherlands find an equaliser? They’ve been getting closer and closer as the half has gone on.
It’s whipped in again for the towering figure of Virgil van Dijk by Joey Veerman, but a black shirt gets a vital flick on it as the ball runs out for a throw.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:20 , Will Castle73 mins: OFF THE POST! It’s another chance for Mexx Meerdink who drives into the box and hits the near post via Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s arm.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:19 , Will Castle70 mins: A first opening for Germany as things begin to get a bit stretched.
It’s cut back to a couple players in a black jersey - Karim Adeyemi can’t get a shot on his left, before Philipp Treu’s effort is deflected for Germany’s first corner of the game.
Adeyemi receives on the edge of the box from the corner and boots it out of the stadium.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:16 , Will Castle68 mins: It’s a late challenge from Nadiem Amiri who absolutely flies into Denzel Dumfies, and the Real Madrid defender is not happy.
He goes to pick a fight with Amiri and has to be held back by his team-mates.
Yellow for Amiri.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:13 , Will Castle66 mins: MISS! How has that not gone in?!
It looked for all the world that Xavi’s side had equalised as Mexx Meerdink slid across to meet Denzel Dumfries’ low cross, but it agonisingly flies wide.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:12 , Will Castle65 mins: Double change for Germany.
Kevin Schade is off for Chris Fuhrich, while Anton Stach is on for goalscorer Felix Nmecha.
NO GOAL! Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:11 , Will Castle62 mins: The Netherlands have the ball in the net but it’s not going to count!
After another dangerous corner leads to a huge stop from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the referee blows for a foul during a goalmouth scramble, which ends with Mexx Meerdink firing into the net.
The Dutch protest profusely but the outcome won’t change. The ref blew against Virgil van Dijk for a kick in the back of Joshua Kimmich.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:07 , Will Castle60 mins: SAVE! Denzel Dumfries is slipped into the box for what is the first clear opening of the second half, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen stands tall to deny him!
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:04 , Will Castle57 mins: First unforced change of the night, as Joey Veerman replaces Quinten Timber for the hosts.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
21:01 , Will Castle53 mins: The Dutch look really threatening from corners - they’ve got the physical edge on this German side.
This time it’s Denzel Dumfries who comes around unmarked and gets a header on goal, but it’s over. He takes a piece of Nathaniel Brown as he comes through.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:58 , Will Castle51 mins: Cody Gakpo drives the Netherlands forward with pace after a nice turn and pass by Quinten Timber.
He drags it back but Tijjani Reijnders is guilty of a foul on the edge of the Germany box and the attack ends there.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:55 , Will Castle48 mins: Oh no, not another one. Denzel Dumfries has gone down.
He’s urging calm after putting the ball out of play and is going to try and run this off. A reminder we’ve already had three injuries tonight.
BACK UNDERWAY! Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:52 , Will CastleOff we go again. No changes from either side.
Here come the players
20:51 , Will CastleThe unmistakeable sound of studs on concrete can only mean one thing - the teams are making their way back out for the second half.
Arsenal dealt injury blow as Havertz limps off
20:45 , Will CastleArsenal have been dealt an injury blow on the first night of the international break after Kai Havertz limped off during Germany’s clash with the Netherlands.
Havertz was chosen to start by Jurgen Klopp for the former Liverpool manager’s first outing in the Germany dugout, but his night was cut short after going down with what appeared to be a muscle problem.
After receiving treatment on his hamstring, which was heavily taped up, the forward was replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib on the half-hour mark.
Arsenal dealt injury blow as Kai Havertz limps off in Germany clash
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:40 , Will CastleThe hosts weren’t happy with that Germany goal...
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:36 , Will CastleAnd there goes the whistle!
It was always going to be a tetchy game and it’s been just that, with Felix Nmecha’s controversial opener separating the two sides.
The Jurgen Klopp era is underway!
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:35 , Will Castle45+3 mins: Another chance goes begging for the Netherlands as Jan Paul van Hecke heads over from a late first-half corner.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:33 , Will Castle45+1 mins: Three minutes added on at the end of the first half.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:30 , Will Castle42 mins: Another real miscue at the back from Marc-Andre ter Stegen as he gifts it straight to Cody Gakpo again, but the Liverpool winger can’t beat the German with his lashed effort.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:26 , Will Castle39 mins: MISS! It should be 2-0!
Germany come again through Kevin Schade who puts it on a plate for Karim Adeyemi, but the Barcelona man spoons it over!
Netherlands 0-1 Germany
20:23 , Will Castle36 mins: Confirmation of that other casualty as Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey comes off with a hamstring issue. Mexx Meerdink is on.
GOAL! Netherlands 0-1 Germany (Nmecha, 33')
20:21 , Will CastleFelix Nmecha has found the breakthrough for Jurgen Klopp’s side - but it comes amid HUGE controversy!
It looked like Germany were about to stop after Brian Brobbey went down with a hamstring injury, with the Netherlands wanting a break of play .
But the referee didn’t enforce anything and Germany continued, before breaking into the box and finding the back of the net.
Virgil van Dijk and co sprint over angrily to protest, but there’s no ruling that one out. The first goal of the Klopp era has been scored!
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:19 , Will Castle31 mins: SAVE! Younes Ebnoutalib has only just come on, but he nearly brings the instant impact!
He gets into the box, side-steps his man before getting a shot at goal, parried away by Bart Verbruggen.
What an introduction that would have been.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:16 , Will Castle28 mins: Look away Arsenal fans: Kai Havertz is down again and he won’t be able to continue.
It was his knee that was caught by Quinten Timber, but this looks like it might be more of a hamstring issue.
Younes Ebnoutalib comes on for his international debut.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:14 , Will Castle26 mins: Looping long throw from Denzel Dumfies is looped up by Virgil van Dijk towards another physical specimen in Brian Brobbey, but the Dutch can’t get it down to get any real effort on goal.
Germany then break with the man advantage but can’t move it quick enough and the Netherlands recover in numbers.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:11 , Will Castle24 mins: Jan Paul van Hecke is the next in orange to enter the book for a foot-on-foot challenge.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:11 , Will Castle23 mins: Quinten Timber has just gone studs up and high into the knee of Kai Havertz - it’s a yellow from the referee.
Surprised not to see VAR intervene there. Timber is a lucky boy.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:09 , Will Castle21 mins: Corner from the same side that Virgil van Dijk scored from, Brian Brobbey gets a warning from the referee before it’s taken, who is deemed to be standing too close to the goalkeeper.
The Dutch go short and it’s dinked in towards Van Dijk, but he can’t direct it goalwards.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:07 , Will Castle19 mins: Nearly a nightmare from Marc-Andre ter Stegen as he passes the ball right out to Cody Gakpo on the edge of his own box. The ball was drilled back to him by a team-mate, to be fair.
Netherlands on top at the moment.
NO GOAL! Netherlands 0-0 Germany
20:03 , Will Castle16 mins: It’s chalked off! And we’re goalless again.
Netherlands 1-0 Germany
20:02 , Will Castle14 mins: There’s a VAR check going on... and the referee has been sent to the monitor.
They’re reviewing a potential foul from Brian Brobbey on Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the ball was whipped in - it would be soft.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Germany (Van Dijk, 13')
20:00 , Will CastleWho else could it be? Xavi has his first goal as Netherlands manager, and it’s his skipper Virgil van Dijk who gets it as he heads home from a corner.
The former Liverpool captain dealing an early blow to his former boss.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
19:59 , Will Castle11 mins: CHANCE! Brian Brobbey is slipped through for the Netherlands but stumbles under the pressure of Jonathan Tah, hitting the deck before he can shoot.
He wants a penalty and Tah does have a hand on his back, but the referee says it’s not enough.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
19:58 , Will Castle10 mins: Quinten Timber is urged to shoot from range bit doesn’t catch it right, and it dribbles wide of the post.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
19:57 , Will Castle7 mins: First break for the Netherlands as Crysenico Summerville drives forward.
He whips in a delivery looking for Cody Gakpo but Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out to collect.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
19:54 , Will Castle5 mins: Germany dominating possession and having a bit of joy down the right.
After a venomous low cross is cleared, they come again through Philipp Treu who pulls it back for Nadiem Amiri, but he can’t make anything of it.
Amiri was a late change to the line-up after Jamal Musiala pulled out with a thigh problem.
Netherlands 0-0 Germany
19:50 , Will Castle2 min: Germany are right on the front foot first through Kevin Schade, who tries to break through in the first few seconds, before they come again after Nathaniel Brown robs Jan Paul van Hecke of the ball.
Karim Adeyimi is challenged by Virgil van Dijk as he gets into the box and the ball runs out for a goal kick.
Bright start from Jurgen Klopp’s men!
KICK-OFF! Netherlands 0-0 Germany
19:48 , Will CastleWe are underway!
Netherlands vs Germany
19:48 , Will CastleA perfectly-observed minute’s silence for Ronald Koeman’s late wife, who tragically passed away aged 65 after a battle with cancer.
Netherlands vs Germany
19:43 , Will CastleThe teams are out onto the Johan Cruyff Arena pitch, and now we have the anthems.
One Dutch mascot is particularly moved by the German anthem...
Closing in on kick-off
19:41 , Will CastleNot long until we get underway in Amsterdam - will it be joy for Jurgen Klopp or Xavi on their maiden outings?
Stay tuned for all the action!
Klopp reunites with Van Dijk
19:39 , Will CastleNice moment between former manager and captain as Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk reunite under the lights in Amsterdam!
Musiala out for Germany with injury
19:56 , Will CastleA late team change to bring you.
Jamal Musiala is out of the Germany team due to a thigh problem. Nadiem Amiri comes in at the 10.
One of football's great rivalries
19:36 , Will CastleFor Jurgen Klopp and Xavi, there are few greater fixtures to make your managerial bow in than Netherlands vs Germany. It is one of the biggest and most storied international rivalries around.
In 48 outings, Germany (or West Germany) have won 18 and the Netherlands have won 12, with 18 stalemates making up the rest.
The foundation of the rivalry stems from the 1974 World Cup final, which saw West Germany overcome Johan Cruyff and the Netherlands’ ‘Total Football’.
There was then revenge at the 1988 Euros, as Marco van Basten fired in an 88th-minute winner to beat West Germany in the semi-finals. The Netherlands went on to win the tournament, with Van Basten scoring his famous volley in the final.
A fiery encounter played out two years later at the World Cup, with Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Voller squaring off before both being sent off in a West Germany last-16 win.
They haven’t faced off in a major tournament since the Euro 2012 group stage, which saw a Mario Gomez double down the Dutch - but Germany have continued to get the better of their rivals, losing just once in their last five meetings.
On home soil, can the Netherlands turn the tide?
Van Dijk hits back at ‘nonsense’ claims that he influenced Netherlands’ World Cup tactics
19:32 , Will CastleVirgil van Dijk has strongly rejected accusations that he dictated former head coach Ronald Koeman’s tactical setup during the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign, branding the allegations "completely baseless".
The Liverpool captain and national team skipper called suggestions that he drove tactical changes prior to their last-16 elimination by Morocco "utter nonsense".
Directing his response to a journalist, Van Dijk said: "One of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with a back five. That is utter nonsense."
He added: "The fact is we simply failed at the World Cup; those are the hard facts. We didn’t play a good World Cup. It’s not about me. You perform together; you’re a team. Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup – that sort of thing is completely baseless.
"The plan is devised by the staff. Nonsense is being spread so that I look even worse. That happens far too often.
"I was told that it was my fault we played with five, that Ronald Koeman and I have destroyed Dutch football.
"The plan worked for 89 minutes, even though it was a bad match. We almost broke through. The idea that I destroyed Dutch football makes absolutely no sense. I didn’t decide that."
Virgil van Dijk fumes over ‘nonsense’ World Cup tactics claims
Xavi imparts his footballing philosophy onto Netherlands team
19:28 , Will CastleXavi says he feels the Netherlands players had bought into his game model and philosophy, which he has described as revolving around possession, position, pressing, perception, and passion.
“You need possession to win the match,” he said.
“You need the right positions. When you lose the ball, you have to press. And you need perception to see what is happening around you and understand the game.
“But without passion, you cannot play football. But he was also clear that winning remains the end goal.
“I think there is definitely potential in this squad.”
Why has Klopp chosen 44 players?
19:24 , Will CastleJürgen Klopp selected 44 players across two separate Germany squads in an unorthodox move ahead of four Nations League fixtures, while opting to drop the nation’s top scorer from the World Cup.
Klopp's double squad selection turns upcoming matches against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia into an extended audition for positions prior to the next major tournament, the 2028 European Championship in the UK and Ireland.
Established stars such as Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz are likely to be restricted to a maximum of two matches, as Klopp seeks to introduce fresh faces and manage physical demands on players.
Wirtz, Ronaldo, Alexander-Arnold: Which players have a point to prove during the international break?
19:20 , Will CastleA new cycle for international football begins with the Nations League over the next three weeks as many teams enter a new era under fresh leadership.
But all eyes will not be on the technical area, with a plethora of players having a point to prove in a post-World Cup landscape, whether they played in North America this summer or not.
Here are 10 players to watch during the international break:
10 players with a point to prove during the international break
Klopp pledges to reclaim German flag from ‘wrong people’ amid far-right rise
19:13 , Will CastleIt’s not just football in Germany that Jurgen Klopp is somewhat displeased about.
Klopp says he wants to reclaim expressions of national pride in Germany from the “wrong people” in remarks widely seen as a rebuke to the far right after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) won an election this month.
"I don't want to leave national pride to the wrong people," said Klopp.
Without mentioning the AfD by name, he added that he would like to “reclaim the flag”.
He added: "I want it so that when someone waves it, no one thinks: 'What is wrong with you?' Instead, I want people to understand: you are happy and realise how lucky you were to be born, grow up, or move to this wonderful country.”
The risk that comes with Germany’s much-needed personality hire of Jurgen Klopp
19:06 , Will CastleJurgen Klopp could have sat back and let the punditry millions roll in. The charisma king of the dugout unsurprisingly made the transition to TV pretty seamlessly for the World Cup, alongside Thomas Muller – the former Germany forward whose penchant for Reels signifies that the permanent shift from footballer to entertainer isn’t too far away.
But Klopp’s personality is of better use in a more serious sector of the German football landscape.
As the team dabs its wounds after a dismal last-32 World Cup exit to Paraguay, the wait to win a knockout-stage match since their 2014 triumph goes on. Julian Nagelsmann failed to galvanise the country’s national team, like Hansi Flick did before him – two tactical aficionados and objectively fine managers, but that’s where it ends. They lacked a certain... aura.
The risk that comes with Germany’s much-needed personality hire of Jurgen Klopp
World Cup agony on both sides of the border
18:59 , Will CastleIt was a World Cup to forget for both countries involved tonight.
A pair of last-32 exits, the Netherlands were dumped out on penalties to “dark horses” Morocco after Cody Gakpo’s opener was cancelled out in stoppage time by Issa Diop. Pure heartbreak, but being knocked out by the sixth best team on the planet isn’t too shameful.
Germany, however, experienced much shame. Their penalties defeat to Paraguay was one of the shocks of the tournament, and plunged the country’s football team into another crisis after 12 years of misery since their 2014 triumph. Hence why Mr Klopp has been called upon.
Don't you forget about Xavi
18:52 , Will CastleDon’t, don’t, don’t, don’t!
Jurgen Klopp’s return has gazumped what is otherwise a very significant arrival in the dugout for the Netherlands tonight.
Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi manages his first game for the Oranje, having not managed since his Blaugrana exit in 2024.
Not only is it a first venture into international football for the iconic maestro, but Xavi is also the first non-Dutch manager to take charge of the Netherlands since 1978.
He wasn’t necessarily first choice to succeed Ronald Koeman, with the Netherlands making an approach for former Liverpool manager Arne Slot, only to be turned down. That would have made for quite the managerial face-off in Amsterdam...
The return of the Klopp
18:45 , Will CastleHello again.
After a couple years raking it in at Red Bull and a summer as a World Cup pundit, Jurgen Klopp is back on our screens doing what he does best: managing football teams.
We weren’t sure if he’d ever come back after his glittering nine-year spell at Liverpool, which saw him guide the club to their first Premier League title in 30 years among a litany of trophies, though departed after admitting he was “running out of energy”.
But with his country’s national team in disarray, Klopp is here to steer the ship. He’s got a serious task ahead of him after Germany’s World Cup humiliation at the hands Paraguay, but rebuilds are Klopp’s forte.
And what a way to start things off - against storied rivals in the Netherlands, who themselves have a new man at the wheel...
Germany line-up
18:37 , Will CastleAnd here’s what Jurgen Klopp’s first Germany line-up looks like...
Largely as expected for the former Liverpool boss, though one of the big decisions sees Karim Adeyemi start ahead of Serge Gnabry on the wing. Kai Havertz leads the line.
Germany XI: Ter Stegen; Treu, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Kimmich, Nmecha; Schade, Musiala, Adeyemi; Havertz.
Subs: Dahmen, Nubel, Bisseck, Rosenfelder, Vagnoman, Behrens, Engelhardt, Amiri, Stach, Fuhrich, Gnabry, Ebnoutalib.
Netherlands line-up
18:35 , Will CastleXavi names his first Netherlands XI as manager.
No Frenkie De Jong means Crystal Palace new boy Quinten Timber comes in to start, joining a three-man midfield with Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders.
The front three of Crysencio Summerville, Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo that was preferred by Ronald Koeman is unchanged.
Netherlands XI: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Timber, Gravenberch, Reijnders; Summerville, Gakpo; Brobbey.
Subs: Flekken, Roefs, Ake, Van Bommel, Frimpong, Geertruida, Hato, Koopmeiners, Lang, Meerdink, Til, Veerman.
Our XI to face Germany! ❤️🔥#NothingLikeOranje #NationsLeague #NEDGER pic.twitter.com/VgWliqwBlH
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 24, 2026
Team news
18:25 , Will CastleWe’re expecting team news to come out in the next few minutes or so - here’s what we know so far.
Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert have withdrawn from the Netherlands squad due to injury, with Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt among those already absent. Memphis Depay, the nation’s leading goalscorer, was a high-profile omission from Xavi’s first group, but captain Virgil van Dijk is back for more after talks over his future with the new manager.
Jurgen Klopp has taken the novel approach of splitting his squad for his opening games in charge, with a 44-player group cut to 24 for this game. Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade are among those not involved here, while Philipp Treu could make his debut having impressed at right-back for Freiburg.
Elsewhere in the Nations League
18:15 , Will CastleThe international break properly gets underway tonight, so here’s what’s happening across the Nations League:
- Portugal vs Wales
- Norway vs Denmark
- Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland
- Austria vs Israel
- Serbia vs Greece
- Liechtenstein vs Lithuania
- Andorra vs Malta
We’ll also be bringing you live coverage of Portugal vs Wales, if that’s more to your taste.
Is Netherlands vs Germany on TV?
18:00 , Will CastleThe Nations League Group A2 clash is due to kick off at 7.45pm BST tonight at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match on Prime Video, costing £2.49 on pay-per-view.
Netherlands vs Germany LIVE!
17:45 , Will CastleJurgen Klopp is back in the dugout for his first game as Germany manager as he begins his latest rebuild job against storied rivals the Netherlands.
Klopp has not managed since leaving Liverpool after a glittering nine-year spell in 2024 but returns to the coaching scene to try and put Germany back on their perch off the back of their disastrous last-32 World Cup exit to Paraguay in the summer.
The 59-year-old named a 44-man squad for his first international break as he tried to get to grips with what he has to work with.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, are similarly entering a new era under a new boss, with Barcelona legend Xavi taking the reins from Ronald Koeman, who stepped down after the World Cup.
Good evening!
17:30 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Jurgen Klopp’s return to the dugout as Germany face the Netherlands in the Nations League!
Stay tuned for all the latest build-up, team news and match action.
