Bundesliga
Niclas Füllkrug nudges Germany past the Netherlands
Substitute Niclas Füllkrug scored the winner as UEFA Euro 2024 hosts Germany came from behind to beat the Netherlands in an international friendly in Frankfurt.
Germany 2-1 Netherlands
Goals: 0-1 Veerman 4' (assist: Depay), 1-1 Mittelstädt 11' (assist: Musiala), 2-1 Füllkrug 85' (assist: Kroos)
Germany's first home match since the death of world football legends Franz Beckenbauer and Andreas Brehme, both nations paid their respects with a minute's silence prior to kick-off. The Netherlands were quickest out of the blocks once the game got started, Joey Veerman scoring from close range after Memphis Depay had taken advantage of some uncertainty in the Germany defence. Maximilian Mittelstädt was one of the players caught wanting, but the VfB Stuttgart defender made amends with a thunderous equaliser. Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen tested Marc-André ter Stegen and had another effort blocked as the Oranje ended an energetic first half in the ascendancy.
Malen was at it again after the restart, the Netherlands forward stinging the palms of ter Stegen from the edge of the area. Tijjani Reijnders blazed over after more great build-up play by Malen and Depay, who combined to almost devastating effect on the hour. Depay failed to keep his shot down, though, after Malen had drawn ter Stegen out of position. Germany responded with a fierce Mittelstädt drive that Bart Verbruggen did well to keep out, before Jamal Musiala forced another strong save at the Netherlands stopper's near post. Verbruggen thwarted Thomas Müller, but was powerless to stop fellow substitute Füllkrug from forcing a Toni Kroos corner home for the win.
Match stats
- Germany's record under Nagelsmann is: W3, D1, L2. They have won back-to-game games for the first time since he took charge, having also beaten France on 23 March.
- Füllkrug has scored 11 goals in 15 appearances for Germany.
- Mittelstädt scored his first senior international goal, on his second appearance.
- Only Bayern Munich (five) had more players called up to this Germany squad than Stuttgart (four).
- Netherlands duo Xavi (16) and Malen (12) have a combined 28 goal involvements in this season's Bundesliga.
- Germany face Ukraine and Greece in a pair of June friendlies, before kicking off Euro 2024 against Scotland on 14 June.
Teams
Germany: Ter Stegen - Kimmich (Henrichs 79'), Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt (Raum 79') - Andrich (Groß 59'), Kroos - Musiala, Gündogan (c) (Führich 59'), Wirtz (Müller 73') - Havertz (Füllkrug 73')
Unused subs: Baumann, Leno, Anton, Koch, Beier, Undav
Out: Beste (groin), Hofmann (hip), Klostermann (thigh), Neuer (groin), Pavlović (tonsilitis), Sané (suspended)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Netherlands: Verbuggen - de Ligt, van Dijk (c), Aké - Dumfries, Schouten (de Roon 75'), Veerman (Wieffer 89'), Blind (Xavi 89') - Reijnders (Timber 66') - Malen (Gakpo 75'), Depay (Weghorst 75')
Unused subs: Bizot, Flekken, Frimpong, Geertruida, Wijnaldum
Out: Berghuis (knee), De Jong (ankle), Timber (knee), Van de Ven (thigh)
Coach: Ronald Koeman
As it happened!
2 - 1(1 - 1)
Germany
FINAL
Netherlands
90' +3
vs
Weghorst denied
Weghorst snatches at a shot inside the area but Ter Stegen is there again to save. This game looks all but over.
90'
vs
Time added on
We'll have three added minutes in Frankfurt.
90'
vs
Xavi from range
RB Leipzig schemer Xavi Simons swings a right boot at the ball but Ter Stegen gets down to gather that with relative ease.
88'
vs
Wieffer
Veerman
88'
vs
Xavi Simons
Daley Blind
85'
vs
Füllkrug: goal machine
That's 11 goals in just 15 senior internationals for Niclas Füllkrug.
84'
vs
Germany lead!
Scenes in Frankfurt! Toni Kroos sends a corner deep into the mixer. Niclas Füllkrug connects with a shoulder and the ball flies towards the corner. Verbruggen gets a big hand to the ball and, at first sight, looks to have kept it out. Not so! Goal-line technology intervenes to assure the ball has crossed the line!
82'
vs
Verbruggen to Holland's rescue
Chris Führich does well to find Niclas Füllkrug in a central area. The Dortmund striker quickly squares for Thomas Müller, whose powerful shot is beaten away by Bart Verbruggen.
80'
vs
Musiala misses out
Musiala gets the ball in a superb position inside the Netherlands' area but he loses his footing at a crucial moment and the opportunity evaporates.
78'
vs
Germany changes
The home side introduce the RB Leipzig pair of David Raum and Benjamin Henrichs.
78'
vs
David Raum
Maximilian Mittelstädt
78'
vs
Benjamin Henrichs
Joshua Kimmich
74'
vs
Roon
Schouten
74'
vs
Gakpo
Malen
74'
vs
Weghorst
Depay
75'
vs
Musiala has a pop
Germany sub Thomas Müller frees Musiala on the right and the latter smashes towards the near post from an angle. Verbruggen parries out.
73'
vs
Niclas Füllkrug
Kai Havertz
73'
vs
Thomas Müller
Florian Wirtz
68'
vs
Havertz almost there
Führich speeds up the left and pings a fast pass across to Havertz. It's too quick for the Arsenal attacker, who watches the ball fizz away.
66'
vs
Kroos warned
Toni Kroos upends Dutch sub Quinten Timber and the Germany captain is booked.
66'
vs
Kroos
66'
vs
Timber
Reijnders
64'
vs
Mittelstädt has a go
He has already shown what he can do in this game and Mittelstädt smashes a shot high towards the near post, which Verbruggen does well to claw out.
61'
vs
Depay's golden moment
Memphis Depay really has to score after some tremendous work from Malen - who took ter Stegen on walkabout - set up the Netherlands No. 10. Depay slashes over the crossbar when right in front of goal. He just didn't catch that.
59'
vs
Germany changes
Julian Nagelsmann mixes things up with the introduction of Pascal Groß and Chris Führich. Toni Kross takes the captain's armband with İlkay Gündoğan heading off.
59'
vs
Chris Führich
Ilkay Gündogan
59'
vs
Pascal Groß
Robert Andrich
56'
vs
Dutch chance
The Malen express speeds down the right before crossing into the middle. Depay leaves it for Tijjani Reijnders, who blasts over and points to the turf, blaming a bobble.
53'
vs
Andrich booked
Andrich trips Depay right on the edge of the Germany box and the Leverkusen player goes into the book. Blind strokes the subsequent set-piece over the bar.
53'
vs
Robert Andrich
51'
vs
Musiala wayward
Julian Nagelsmann's side come to life with Wirtz threading a pass through for Musiala, who just loses control at a crucial moment, allowing Verbruggen to claim.
50'
vs
Malen blast
Veerman's corner eventually finds a way to Donyell Malen, who thunders the ball at the target from the edge of the box. Ter Stegen palms it down before catching.
48'
vs
Slower pace
It's mainly the visitors who are stroking the ball around and looking for an opening at the start of this second half. Germany have yet to get going after the break.
46'
vs
Away we go again
The Netherlands kick off the second half.
45' +1
vs
Half-time: Germany 1-1 Netherlands
Plenty of entertainment for the fans to get excited about after a pulsating first half in Frankfurt. Joey Veerman gave the Dutch an early lead, only for Maximilian Mittelstädt to equalise with a worldie.
45'
vs
Time added on
There will be one minute added to the end of the first half.
42'
vs
Musiala over the top
The ball drops kindly for the Bayern Munich attacker as the Dutch look to clear their lines, but the 21-year-old can only divert a shot off target.
40'
vs
Havertz denied
Kai Havertz sprints into the box and comes up against Nathan Aké, before falling to the ground. The referee waves play on.
32'
vs
Kroos over
Toni Kross wallops a right-footed shot high over the bar. Moments later, Kai Havertz is saved by the offside flag after the Arsenal player had waltzed clean through on goal, only to see his low shot saved.
32'
vs
Huge chance
Daley Blind flights a tantalising free kick towards the far post. Matthijs de Ligt is suddenly there but chooses to head across goal as opposed to at the target. Ilkay Gündogan just about nicks the ball away from Donyell Malen, who looked poised to score.
30'
vs
Visitors counter
Dumfries races into space on the right and suddenly he is supported by half a dozen teammates on a lightning-quick counter. Dumfries' cross is headed away to safety by Tah.
23'
vs
Deadly duo
Musiala and Wirtz just about fail to concoct a chance the home fans were baying for when the two strolled into the Netherlands' area. The Dutch are in a sweat trying to defend those two.
20'
vs
Back the other end
What an advert this is for EURO 2024! Germany are back on the front foot and when Robert Andrich gets on the ball just outside the box, the fans urge him to shoot. The Leverkusen man obliges, but his effort flies over.
18'
vs
Here come Holland
Malen races onto Depay's pass and looks to be clear of Tah, who recovers brilliantly. Malen's swipe across the face is finger-tipped away by ter Stegen.
17'
vs
Germany in full flow
Another super forward thrust by Germany ends with the impressive Musiala sliding a short pass in for Gündogan, whose close-range effort is saved.
16'
vs
Blind booked
Daley Blind hauls back the sprightly Florian Wirtz and the referee reaches for a yellow card.
16'
vs
Blind
12'
vs
Mittelstädt's moment
A super moment for Stuttgart's Mittelstädt, who nets his first senior international goal on what is just his second appearance for Germany.