What a game! Heading into the Euro 2020 Qualifying campaign, it felt like The Netherlands were very much a team on the rise. Having failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments, their luck seemed to turn during the UEFA Nations League last year.
They topped a group containing France and Germany, playing some stunning football on the way. Under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman, and featuring star players such as Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie De Jong, they would be hoping for more improvement in 2019.
They faced off against old rivals Germany in Amsterdam this evening, with Joachim Low's side seemingly heading in the opposite direction to their hosts. They have suffered a bit of a decline in the past 12 months, and seem like a team in transition.
However, they tore up the form book in the opening half of this one. Leroy Sané would give the Germans the lead in the 15th minute, steering a stunning half volley beyond Jasper Cillessen in the Dutch goal.
Netherlands 0-1 Germany!
A beautiful finish by Leroy Sane puts the Germans ahead after an aggressive start!#NEDGER #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ZdO15uhPRO— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 24, 2019
If you thought their first goal was a cracker, wait until you see this one. This time it was 'Arsenal reject' Serge Gnabry who provided the moment of magic. He shrugged off the challenge of van Dijk, before steering an absolute rocket in the top corner.
What. A. Goal. 👏
Serge Gnabry:
6 🇩🇪 caps
5 🇩🇪 goals#NEDGER #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/qF8z7vxEaT— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 24, 2019
Gnabry's rise in the game is something that must be difficult to stomach for Arsenal fans. The Gunners sold the winger to Werder Bremen for just £5million in 2016, and he has since gone from strength to strength. He is now a regular starter for Bayern Munich, a centrepiece of their ongoing rebuild.
Having been very poor in the opening half, Ronald Koeman must have imported with some serious words of wisdom at half time. His side came out flying in the second period, completely flipping the game on its head.
First it was Matthijs de Ligt, with the Ajax defender rising highest to steer home a tasty Memphis Depay cross.
Game on!
De Ligt rises highest to give the Dutch something to play for in Amsterdam!
Watch live on Virgin Media Sport!#NEDGER #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fNTfT8NbXu— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 24, 2019
With the Dutch chasing an equaliser, Depay would get on the scoreline himself 15 minutes later. He showed great composure in the German penalty area to steer the ball beyond Manuel Neuer, bringing his side right back into the game.
Memphis Depay! 🦁
What a finish! 🍊
What a game! 🤯#NEDGER #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/M635wx8mEZ— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 24, 2019
Both sides pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, but it was Germany who would come away with all three points. It was Schulz who grabbed the winner, breaking Dutch hearts with a late goal.
90th minute winner.
Netherlands 2-3 Germany.
International football is dead, right?
🤔🤔🤔#NEDGER #EURO2020 #VMSport pic.twitter.com/9xTuOHGeXc— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 24, 2019
