Niclas Füllkrug nudges Germany past the Netherlands

by maurya18@gmail.com
March 27, 2024

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!

Full-time: Germany 2-1 Netherlands

A big week for Germany ends with impressive successive victories against France and the Netherlands. Julian Nagelsmann’s side came from behind in their latest test after Joey Veerman put the Dutch ahead early on. Maximilian Mittelstädt scored a superb equaliser for the EURO 2024 hosts, while Niclas Füllkrug’s late winner sent the local fans home happy in Frankfurt.

Weghorst denied

Weghorst snatches at a shot inside the area but Ter Stegen is there again to save. This game looks all but over.

Time added on

We’ll have three added minutes in Frankfurt.

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.

Füllkrug: goal machine

That’s 11 goals in just 15 senior internationals for Niclas Füllkrug.

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!

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.

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.

Germany changes

The home side introduce the RB Leipzig pair of David Raum and Benjamin Henrichs.

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.

Will there be a winner?

The Netherlands have enjoyed the better chances in this half but Germany’s build-up play has been improving and the hosts will be keen to work some more openings before the end of this friendly.

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.

Kroos warned

Toni Kroos upends Dutch sub Quinten Timber and the Germany captain is booked.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Away we go again

The Netherlands kick off the second half.

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.

Time added on

There will be one minute added to the end of the first half.

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.

Havertz denied

Kai Havertz sprints into the box and comes up against Nathan Aké, before falling to the ground. The referee waves play on.

Even battle

There isn’t much in this game, with both teams matching each other for effort, creativity and goals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Top entertainment

There’s been no let-up in Frankfurt, with both teams going in search of goals at every opportunity.

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.

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.

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.

Blind booked

Daley Blind hauls back the sprightly Florian Wirtz and the referee reaches for a yellow card.

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.

What. A. Goal!

Maximilian Mittelstädt more than makes up for that earlier error with an absolute thunderbolt into the top corner from outside the Netherlands’ box! Germany worked a short corner and when the ball made it’s way to Musiala, he teed up Mittelstädt to score a goal he’ll never forget.

Maximilian Mittelstädt

GOAL!

1:1

Mistakes made

It was Mittelstädt and Tah out on the left who succumbed to that Dutch pressure in the build-up to the opening goal. Julian Nagelsmann, understandably, had a stern look on his face down on the bench.

Germany respond

The hosts look to hit back quickly, with Jamal Musiala menacing up top. The Netherlands eventually clear their lines.

Dutch take early lead

Disaster for Germany, who get themselves into all sorts of trouble out wide under Dutch pressure. Depay steals away with the ball and cuts back for Veerman, who slams into the corner to stun the home fans.

Legends honoured

Just ahead of kick-off, we’re seeing a tribute to Franz Beckenbauer and Andreas Brehme, two legends of the game who both sadly passed away recently.

We’re all set

Team photos have been taken and we’re ready to go in Frankfurt.

Teams out!

Both sides are on the pitch at the magnificent Deutsche Bank Park and we’re all set for the national anthems.

More on those teams

Julian Nagelsmann suggested he would stick with the same starting XI that began Saturday’s 2-0 win in France and the coach stays true to his word as the EURO 2024 hosts line out in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The injured Manuel Neuer is covered by Marc-André ter Stegen while Leroy Sané is suspended. Ronald Koeman, meanwhile, fields seven changes to the team that hammered Scotland 4-0 last Friday. Bayern Munich ‘s Matthijs de Ligt and BVB’s Donyell Malen are among those changes.

Germany starting XI

Ter Stegen – Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt – Andrich, Kroos – Musiala, Gündogan (c), Wirtz – Havertz

Germany subs

Baumann, Leno, Anton, Henrichs, Koch, Raum, Führich, Groß, Müller, Beier, Füllkrug, Undav

Netherlands starting XI

Verbuggen – de Ligt, van Dijk (c), Aké – Dumfries, Schouten, Veerman, Blind – Reijnders – Malen, Depay

Netherlands subs

Bizot, Flekken, Frimpong, Geertruida, de Roon, Timber, Wieffer, Wijnaldum, Xavi, Gakpo, Weghorst

Andrich’s Alonso appreciation

In line for only his second start and third senior appearance with Germany later, Bayer Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich said he delighted in playing alongside Toni Kroos in Saturday’s victory against France and that he has taken on board plenty of advice from club coach Xabi Alonso this term. “[He’s] on me a little more than other players,” the B04 midfielder explained. “I’ve always been very emotional, but sometimes maybe a little too emotional. [Xabi] has definitely helped me to stay cool in certain situations, which has also helped my game.”