Jurgen Klopp and Xavi shared the spoils of their international debuts as the Netherlands snatched a dramatic late 1-1 victory Nations League draw against Germany.
Klopp leads his native Germany and Barcelona icon Xavi in charge of the Netherlands in their first competitive match since taking charge after the World Cup.
Klopp looked set for a first win but his former Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo equalized in stoppage time.
However, the chance soured due to two injuries to key Premier League forwards in the first half.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz was forced off after being hit in the knee by Quinten Timber’s high boot early in Amsterdam. Soon after, Sunderland striker Brian Brombie, who had just scored a hat-trick against Manchester City, had to be substituted with an apparent muscle problem.
Up the pitch, Germany got off to a fantastic start with Felix Nmecha, who fired in from close range before the break.
The Netherlands fought back hard and Xavi found his spark on the bench. Late substitute Ruben van Bommel made history as the third generation of his family to represent the Netherlands, following his father Mark van Bommel and grandfather Bert van Marwijk, and contribute in the biggest moments. The debutant delivered a precise cross into Gakpo’s goal in stoppage time.
“We have to accept the result,” Klopp said. “As much as I wanted to win, I chose a draw.
“There are two teams, two very good football teams, in the same situation. Both sides want to prove that things are not as bad as they think at the moment. It showed in the game.
“I’m very, very, very happy with a lot of individual performances. Overall, I’m very happy with the enthusiasm we showed. We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.”