Defiant Dutch strike late to earn finals spot

GELSENKIRCHEN: A sensational fightback from the Netherlands yesterday earned it a 22 draw with Germany and a spot in the Uefa Nations League finals at the expense of world champion France.

Quincy Promes and Virgil van Dijk struck in the final five minutes to send the Dutch top of league A group 1 on its headtohead record with France.

Relegated Germany suffered a bitter end to a disappointing campaign in which it managed only two points.

Timo Werner and Leroy Sane scored to put Joachim Low’s home side two goals up after 20 minutes in Gelsenkirchen before the late Dutch comeback was capped by van Dijk’s expertly executed volleyed goal in stoppage time.

Switzerland, England and host Portugal had already qualified for the fourteam finals in June.

‘‘It’s nice that in the end we earned the draw and qualified. The ball fell for me and I hit it wonderfully,’’ Dutch captain van Dijk said.

‘‘This is a reward for hard work. After the poor first half we immediately wanted to recover in

the second. We showed character.’’

In league B group 2, Czech Republic beat Slovakia 10 thanks to Roma striker Patrik Schick’s goal, ensuring its safety and relegating its opponent while already promoted Denmark drew 00 with already relegated Republic of Ireland in group 4.

Norway earned promotion from league C group 3 with a 20

win in Cyprus with both goals from Ole Kamara while Bulgaria drew 11 at relegated Slovenia.

In league D action, already promoted Georgia edged Kazakhstan 21 in group 1 while Andorra and Latvia drew 00.

In group 4, Macedonia trounced Gibraltar 40 to seal its elevation to league C while Liechtenstein and Armenia drew 22.

Werner smashed home from distance after nine minutes and Sane steered in a second as Germany got off to a flyer on home soil.

Niklas Sule headed Daley Blind’s cross against his own crossbar as the Dutch tried to find a foothold in the game but Germany remained in control and had chances to extend its lead.

Thomas Muller replaced Serge Gnabry in the second half and was given a warm reception as he earned his 100th cap despite some criticism of his recent form.

Promes curled home from the edge of the box in the 85th minute to give the Dutch renewed hope before defender van Dijk was sent up front by Ronaldo Koeman and justified the move when he netted the equaliser.

‘‘I am a bit disappointed by the result but overall I saw more positives than negatives,’’ Low said after Germany’s horrible year ended with a record six defeats.

‘‘We played a very good first half and should have scored a third in the second half to finish the game.

‘‘But this kind of thing seems to be the story of our entire year.’’ — DPA