Germany's difficult period continues. The 2014 World Cup winners have tonight suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat away to the Netherlands, meaning they have now won just one of their last five competitive fixtures.
This comes on the back of Mesut Özil removing himself from consideration from the team due to what he felt was racially charged criticism directed towards him. The German national team is clearly in an uncharacteristically tumultuous period, and tonight's result will add to their woes.
Having exited the World Cup at the group stage and drawn their opening Nations League game at home to France, they were hoping to get back to winning ways in Amsterdam tonight.
However things started poorly, as a Manuel Neuer error handed the hosts a first-half lead. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who was captain on the night, was on hand to nod home the opener.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper misjudged the incoming ball from the corner, and was left in no man's land as he attempted to recover.
Germany pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half, with Leroy Sané missing a fantastic chance to bring his side back on level terms.
😲 SANE'S GLARING MISS! 😲
Huge chance for Leroy Sane to put Germany back on level terms against the Netherlands, but he drags wide from close range!
Watch the UEFA Nations League live on Sky Sports: https://t.co/WwJQ3vza7c pic.twitter.com/doZpiZ0V2z— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 13, 2018
The Netherlands themselves had a number of chances to extend the lead, and they would do so in the 86th minute. A poor Mats Hummels pass left the German defender caught badly out of position, and the home side were granted a two-on-one break in the opposition half.
Former Manchester United player Memphis Depay was then on hand to calmly slot the ball home, securing the result for the Dutch.
There was time for them to grab another. Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum got forward to produce the best goal of the night.
He wonderfully rounded German defender Jerome Boateng, before burying the ball into the bottom corner from the just inside the box.
It capped off what was a fantastic night for the Dutch, who have gone through a difficult spell themselves in recent years. They have failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments, something almost unheard of for the proud footballing nation. With Ronald Koeman now in charge of the team, they seem to be having somewhat of a resurgence.
Meanwhile, this result is sure to pile even further pressure on the Germans. Losing 3-0 to a team that are traditionally their biggest rivals is something that will not please their fans, and some of the elder members of this side seem to be coming to the end of their international careers.
