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The Netherlands came from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Germany in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday, September 10. The result sees Germany retain top spot on goal difference, with the Netherlands in second place followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary.
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The Netherlands entered this game on the back of a morale-boosting win against Bosnia in their previous match. Manager Ronald Koeman made one change to the lineup as Brian Brobbey replaced Joshua Zirkzee and made an instant impact. The Ajax forward chested the ball down to Ryan Gravenberch, who sent Tijjani Reijnders through on goal for the first goal of the game after two minutes.
Denzel Dumfries then saw the next big chance of the game come his way from a free-kick but miscued a free header. This gave Germany some breathing space as they worked to claw their way back into the contest. Deniz Undav leveled the game after Florian Wirtz saw his shot parried away by Bart Verbruggen. The VfB Stuttgart forward then set up Joshua Kimmich for 2-1 just before half-time.
Apart from going a goal down, the Netherlands had to deal with a serious injury to Nathan Ake, who was stretchered off and replaced by Jurrien Timber.
Both Julian Nagelsmann and Koeman made changes during the interval as they looked to gain control. Brobbey was in the mix again for the Netherlands early in the second half as he showed great physical presence to hold off a defender and assist Dumfries for the leveler six minutes after the restart. However, that and an ambitious long-range effort from Gravenberch were their only decent chances.
Meanwhile, Germany had a couple of glorious chances of their own. Wirtz played a lovely pass into Kai Havertz's path but the Arsenal forward saw his attempt zoom over the crossbar from close range. That was their only big chance as the game trickled towards the final minutes and eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Netherlands played well but would be left ruing their chances. That said, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Netherlands Player Ratings
Bart Verbruggen - 6.5/10
Verbruggen had a fairly busy game as he was called upon to make three saves but also conceded two goals.
Denzel Dumfries - 7/10
Dumfries missed a sitter in the first period but made up for it with a simple tap-in early in the second half. He also won four duels and made seven clearances.
Matthijs de Ligt - 6/10
De Ligt had another subpar performance and looked a yard off the pace of the game and was subbed off at half-time.
Virgil van Dijk - 7/10
The Netherlands captain put in a good shift in defence, winning five duels and making seven clearances and two blocks.
Nathan Ake - 6.5/10
Ake had a decent first half but seemed to have tweaked something in his left leg as he stretched to control the ball and was stretchered off just before half-time.
Jerdy Schouten - 6.5/10
Another player who was off the mark for the Dutch was Schouten, who had just 15 touches of the ball and did not play a single important pass or win a single duel.
Ryan Gravenberch - 7.5/10
The Liverpool star was dominant in midfield, winning six duels and making one interception. He also played two key passes and completed two dribbles.
Xavi Simons - 7.5/10
Simons had a great game as well, passing the ball with 96% accuracy, including five key passes and three accurate crosses. He also won two duels.
Tijjani Reijders - 7.5/10
Reijnders continued his form in front of goal with a composed finish early in the game. He also won three duels and completed two dribbles.
Cody Gakpo - 7/10
Gakpo won four duels and played two key passes but both his shots were off the mark in a decent display.
Brian Brobbey - 7.5/10
Brobbey played well and was crucial in linking up the play for the Netherlands in the opponent's half with his deft touches, and also bagged an assist.
Substitutes
Jurrien Timber - 6.5/10
Timber replaced Ake just before half-time and had a decent game.
Jan Paul van Hecke - 7/10
Van Hecke replaced de Ligt and won his only duel and also made one clearance and one interception.
Quinten Timber - 6.5/10
Timber replaced Schouten and put in a good shift, winning five duels and attempting one shot.
Lutsharel Geertruida - 6.5/10
He replaced Simons and had a decent outing.
Wout Weghorst - 6.5/10
Brought on late in the game, Weghorst was unable to have the desired impact in the final third this time around.
