Germany’s new era got off to a great start as a side shorn of so many veterans earned a thrilling 3-2 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry gave Die Mannschaft a 2-0 lead at half-time, but they were pegged back by goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay as the Dutch enjoyed second-half ascendancy – only for Germany to deliver a sucker punch with a 90th-minute winner from Thilo Kehrer.
Here’s a look at how the players performed on Sunday night.
STARTING XI
Manuel Neuer 7 – Made a couple of smart saves but for once his distribution was suspect, though all in all there was nothing in this display to suggest he should be dropped for Marc-Andre ter Stegen just yet.
Matthias Ginter 7 – Struggled at times in defence with the threat of Depay, but was solid otherwise. Proved a useful threat in attack as well as he went on a few marauding runs to drive Germany forward.
Niklas Sule 7 – Though he was culpable in part for the Netherlands equaliser, after that moment the Bayern Munich defender was seemingly on a one-man mission to ensure Germany didn’t lose, popping up with a vital tackle or interception whenever needed.
Antonio Rudiger 7 – Put his body on the line in defence and got the assist for Germany’s second goal, though that was largely down to Gnabry’s excellent strike.
Thilo Kehrer 7 – Came up directly against Memphis Depay and though the Dutch winger at times ran riot, Kehrer gave as good as he got, while also serving as a good attacking outlet.
Joshua Kimmich 5 – Helped Germany control midfield in the first half but faded badly in the second, when he was caught out defensively a few times as well.
Toni Kroos 6 – A quietly effective game from the Real Madrid man, who without doing anything spectacular helped Germany control the game in the first half and withstand a Dutch storm in the second.
Nico Schulz 8 – It speaks to both Germany’s mindset and Schulz’s own desire that the left wing-back was in the centre of the opposition box in the 90th minute, as it turns out just the perfect place to score the winning goal. That capped off an excellent display from the Hoffenheim man.
Leon Goretzka 7 – Did a good job of getting in between the lines in the first half, creating panic in the Dutch defence and midfield with his movement. Faded badly in the second half, however, as he struggled to have an impact and was the first player taken off.
Serge Gnabry 8 – Gave Virgil van Dijk a hard time, which is an achievement in itself. Topped that off by scoring a wonderful goal, Germany’s second. The strike partnership he is forming with Sane looks promising.
Leroy Sane 8 – Playing in a slightly unfamiliar role as a striker, the Man City man did an excellent job. The run he made across the Dutch defence for the first goal was the classic striker’s run, while his pace and skill meant he had the beating of the Oranje defence throughout.
SUBSTITUTES
Ilkay Gundogan 7 – Came on and allowed Germany to regain a foothold in midfield, where the Netherlands had been dominating their opponents in the second half. It was his clever slide-rule pass that set up the winner.
Marco Reus 7 – That Gundogan pass found its way to Reus, whose run behind the defence was excellent. Having the awareness to find Schulz at the edge of the box for the cut-back showed exactly why the Borussia Dortmund star is rated so highly as a playmaker. An excellent cameo.
