Greece stunned Germany 1-0 in Augsburg to go top of their Nations League group and spoil Jürgen Klopp’s debut in the home dugout. Dimitrios Kourbelis scored the only goal in the 74th minute, earning Greece their first-ever victory in 11 matches against Germany. Ivan Jovanovic’s side now lead Group A2 with six points from two matches; Klopp’s side are third with one point from two games after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands on Thursday.
The hosts were in control for most of the game and had close to 80% possession in the first half alone. Germany were ultimately punished for sloppy defending, especially in the second half, which gave the visitors space to attack. Felix Nmecha fired wide in the 54th minute, moments after the Greece keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis had palmed a Joshua Kimmich free-kick over the bar.
The Greeks then almost scored in the 66th after Kimmich lost possession in his own half, but the substitute Fotis Ioannidis fired just wide of the post. They did better eight minutes later, with Kourbelis’s deflected low drive earning their second victory in a row after their last-gasp 2-1 win over Serbia on Thursday. Greece will now host the Dutch on Thursday, while Germany are at home to Serbia.
Klopp shrugged off the defeat after the final whistle. Earlier, the Netherlands earned a 2-1 victory in Serbia thanks to Mexx Meerdink’s double on his second appearance for his country. It was their first win under their new coach, Xavi Hernández, following Thursday’s draw with Germany.
Meerdink, who plays for the Eredivisie leaders, AZ, opened the scoring with a confidently taken penalty in the 30th minute. Luka Jovic equalised for the hosts but Meerdink struck again in the 69th minute to earn three points. You just don’t realise what can happen in the space of a week.
It’s also great that we managed to win here. I did feel a little pressure, but you play that out of your system. And then to score two is fantastic.” Cody Gakpo is an injury concern after going off in the 17th minute and will undergo a scan on Monday.
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