Germany stunned
> Four-time world champs hammered by Netherlands
GERMANY WERE left bottom of UEFA Nations League Group A1 yesterday after a humiliating 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands.
Virgil van Dijk headed home from close range after 30 minutes with Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum’s late strikes piling more misery on Joachim Low’s side, which suffered an embarrassing group stage exit at the World Cup in June.
Elsewhere Denmark climbed to the top of Group B4 after a goalless draw in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland and Patrick Schick’s bullet header earned the Czech Republic an impressive 2-1 win at Slovakia to move second in Group B1.
Gibraltar earned their first competitive win since joining UEFA with a 1-0 triumph at Armenia in Group D4.
Joachim Low celebrated his record 168th game in charge of the German national team but was given a night to forget in Amsterdam in the country’s first defeat by the Dutch in a competitive game since 1992.
France top the standings on four points after beating the Dutch 2-1 and drawing 0-0 with Germany in the first round of fixtures, with the Netherlands now second on three.
“We could have taken the lead early on. Then we try getting back into the game and were more open at the back, so we conceded a second and third goal,” said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer
“There will be lots of criticism now. But things could have ended differently today.”
At the Aviva Stadium neither Ireland nor Denmark could find the breakthrough, putting the visitors top of Group B4 on four points, ahead of Wales on three, while this was Ireland’s first point.
It was Denmark who beat Ireland 5-1 in the World Cup qualifying play-offs last year to stop them from going to Russia, but Martin O’Neill’s side was more sturdy this time around.
“We had to be patient and reserve our energy and grow into the game,” said Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendrick.
“The lads dug deep tonight. They had a lot of the ball but at times we did test them. It is something to grow on definitely.”
In Trnava Roma striker Schick scored just three minutes after coming on as a substitute to earn Jaroslav Silhavy’s side a deserved away win in his first match as Czech Republic coach.
A dull game burst into life after the break, and the Czechs went ahead when Michael Krmencik charged through on goal and slotted home after 52 minutes.
Marek Hamsik, who won a record 108th cap for Slovakia, pulled the hosts level by blasting home from close range, but Schick’s powerful header won the game in the 76th minute.
Ukraine top the group with six points but the Czech Republic are on three ahead of their visit to the leaders tomorrowday, while Slovakia have no points from two games.
Bulgaria beat Cyprus 2-1 to move clear at the top of Group C3, maintaining their 100% record, and they are followed by Norway, who earned a narrow win over Slovenia in Oslo thanks to Ole Selnaes’s superb volley.
In Armenia Joseph Chipolina’s 50th minute penalty was enough to help Gibraltar to their first competitive win after joining UEFA in 2013, after 22 consecutive defeats.
Macedonia are top with nine points after thrashing Liechtenstein 4-1, who are level with Gibraltar and Armenia on three. – dpa