Football news - Nico Schulz strikes late to give Germany dramatic win over plucky Netherlands
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Updated 24/03/2019 at 22:42 GMT
Euro 2020 Qualifier Group C, Johan Cruyff Arena - Holland 2 (de Ligt 48, Depay 63) Germany 3 (Sane 15, Gnabry 34, Schulz 90)
Nico Schulz of Germany celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2020 UEFA European Championships group C qualifying match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruyff Arena on March 24, 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Image credit: Getty Images
New-look Germany got their Euro 2020 campaign off to a stunning start courtesy of a dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory away to the Netherlands.
Joachim Low's young side produced an exciting first-half attacking display, with goals from Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry laying the foundations for a first success at the home of their rivals since 1996.
Ryan Babel saw two big opportunities brilliantly saved by Manuel Neuer before the hosts hit back in the second period through Matthijs de Ligt's first senior goal for his country.
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Leroy Sane of Germany celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the 2020 UEFA European Championships group C qualifying match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruijff ArenA on March 24, 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Ronald Koeman's team were completely transformed and Memphis Depay continued his brilliant form for his country with a clinical low drive just past the hour.
The Netherlands looked the more likely to snare a winner, but it was the visitors who got it in the last minute when Nico Schulz steered in substitute Marco Reus' cut back from the left.
The result means Oranje failed to build on their opening Group C win over Belarus, while optimism within Germany will have risen after a year of difficult results.
Next up, Netherlands turns their attention to the Nations League semi-final with England on June 6, while Germany visit Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying two days later.
TALKING POINT
Germany make a much-needed step forward.
It's fair to say the Germans needed a result like this badly. Die Mannschaft were booed off following a 1-1 draw with Serbia on Thursday and the dark clouds that had gathered following their early World Cup exit and their relegation from National League Group A1, hadn't looked like dispersing any time soon.
But it just goes to show what one big performance and win can do. There's still a long way to go, but there will now be renewed belief that the latest batch of youngsters can follow a similar resurgence to that of the Dutch.
As for the Netherlands, this was obviously a reality check for Oranje, who have enjoyed a real rise from the doldrums under Koeman. The defeat is a blow, but given the nature and style of their second-half revival, they will still feel they are still on an upward trajectory that will see them comfortably qualify from this pool.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Nico Schulz (Germany). The Hoffenheim star was superb in a left wing-back role. He was heavily involved in Sane's opener and then got forward to net the winner after spending much of the second period on the back foot.
PLAYER RATINGS
NETHERLANDS: Cillessen 7, Dumfries 7, Blind 6, Van Dijk 6, De Ligt 6, De Roon 6, Frenkie de Jong 7, Wijnaldum 7, Babel 6, Promes 7, Depay 8. Subs: Bergwijn 6, Luuk de Jong 6. GERMANY: Neuer 6, Schulz 9, Sule 8, Rudiger 7, Ginter 7, Kehrer 8, Kimmich 7, Kroos 7, Gnabry 8, Goretska 6, Sane 8. Subs: Gundogan 6, Reus n/a.
KEY MOMENTS
15' - GOAL! Holland 0-1 Germany. Toni Kroos feeds Nico Schulz on the left and he in turns finds Sane with a low cross. The Man City man takes one touch out of his stride and rifles a super effort into the far corner.
25' - HOLLAND CHANCE! Depay nods down for Promes who feeds it through for Babel who races free from the left. The Fulham forward drills a first-time effort towards the far corner but sees it brilliantly tipped over the bar by Neuer.
27' - HOLLAND CHANCE! Another stunning save. Babel meets a Promes cross from the right with a thumping volley, but it's too close to Neuer who somehow pulls off a wonderful reaction stop.
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Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos (2ndL) vies with Netherlands' midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (2ndR) during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group C qualification football match between The Netherlands and Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on March 24, 2019
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34' - GOAL! Holland 0-2 Germany. Gnabry makes a smart diagonal run on to Rudiger's ball over the top. The Bayern forward jinks in from the left and beyond van Dijk before curving a brilliant strike into the top corner.
40' - GERMANY CHANCE! It should be three. Sane ghosts in behind van Dijk to surge into the area, but sees his low drive beaten away by Cillessen.
48' - GOAL! Holland 1-2 Germany. That's one back! de Ligt flicks Depay's left-wing cross into the far corner. Game on?
63' - GOAL! Holland 2-2 Germany. All square! Depay does it again! The Lyon forward rifles a low shot into the bottom corner after he and Wijnaldum had created panic in the heart of the German defence.
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Memphis Depay of Holland celebrates 2-2 with Georginio Wijnaldum of Holland during the EURO Qualifier match between Holland v Germany at the Johan Cruijff Arena on March 24, 2019 in Amsterdam Netherlands
Image credit: Getty Images
90' - GOAL! Holland 2-3 Germany. Schulz steers a right foot shot into the bottom corner from Reus cut back after the visitors had carved Holland open down the left.
KEY STATS
Gnabry has scored five goals in just six senior caps for Germany.
Depay (8 goals, 5 assists) has now been directly involved in 13 goals in 12 games for Oranje since the appointment of Ronald Koeman, including each of Oranje's last six.
The German national team has now conceded 71 goals against the Netherlands. No other national team has scored more often against Germany.
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