UEFA Nations League – Gakopo scores to draw 1-1 between the Netherlands and Germany

The first round of group stage matches in Group B of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League saw the Netherlands, playing at home, come back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Germany thanks to a goal from Gakopo.

Nine minutes into the match, the Netherlands launched an attack. Kunten Timber, near the penalty area, received a pass back from Gakopo and unleashed a long-range shot, but it went wide. In the 12th minute, Reindes took a corner kick, and Liverpool star Van Dijk rose to head the ball into the net. However, after VAR intervention, it was determined that Brobby had interfered with German goalkeeper Ter Stegen, and the goal was disallowed.

In the 22nd minute, Kunten Timber fouled German striker Havertz and received a yellow card. In the 30th minute, Dumfries passed the ball to Kunten Timber, who followed up with a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal. Subsequently, Havertz, who appeared to be injured, was substituted by Eboue Nuttalib.

In the 32nd minute, Germany attempted a counter-attack. Kimmich chipped a pass into the penalty area, Adyemi tried to shoot but the ball was cleared. Then, Nmecha slotted the ball home in the ensuing scramble, giving Germany a 1-0 lead. In the 32nd minute, Germany continued their attack. Schlotterbeck received a pass from Kimmich and fired a long-range shot, but the ball went over the bar.

In the 38th minute, Nathaniel Brown dribbled into the penalty area and passed back to Adyemi, who attempted a shot but kicked the ball high. In the 42nd minute, German goalkeeper Ter Stegen made a mistake while taking the kickoff, and Liverpool winger Gakpo gained possession and took a long-range shot, but Ter Stegen made the save.

In the 44th minute, Hrafinberg played a long pass, and Somerville received the ball in the penalty area but his shot was blocked by an opposing player. In first-half stoppage time, the Netherlands launched a counter-attack from a corner kick, and Van Heck's header went over the bar.

In the 53rd minute of the second half, Reindes took a corner kick, and Dumfries headed the ball towards goal, but it went over the post. In the 59th minute, Germany's attack was cleared, and the unmarked Adyemi took a powerful shot, but it went wide.

In the 62nd minute, a Dutch corner kick was blocked by German goalkeeper Ter Stegen, and Meldink then slotted the ball past the defense, but the goal was disallowed due to a previous foul. In the 73rd minute, Reindes crossed into the penalty area, and Meldink followed up with a shot, but it was saved by German goalkeeper Ter Stegen.

In the 83rd minute, Philipp Trullo chipped the ball into the penalty area, and Ebnu Talib headed it towards goal, but the shot went wide. In the 89th minute, Van Bommel received the ball in the penalty area and curled a shot, but German goalkeeper Ter Stegen immediately made a diving save.

In stoppage time of the second half, Van Bommel dribbled forward and chipped the ball into the penalty area, where Gakopo volleyed it into the net, leveling the score at 1-1 for the Netherlands.

Ultimately, the Netherlands held Germany to a 1-1 draw.

Image source: Internet