Xavi’s Netherlands rescue draw with Germany after dominant second half
Netherlands earn late draw after transforming performance
The Netherlands fought back from a disappointing first half to draw 1-1 with Germany in Xavi’s first match in charge. Cody Gakpo’s superb stoppage-time volley rescued a point at the Johan Cruijff Arena after Felix Nmecha had put the visitors ahead.
Germany took the lead in the 32nd minute when Nmecha finished past Bart Verbruggen. The Netherlands were frustrated by the build-up, believing that Brian Brobbey had been fouled. Germany continued the attack, with Nadiem Amiri and Joshua Kimmich keeping the ball in play before Nathaniel Brown’s cross was flicked into Nmecha’s path.
The match changed after the interval. The Netherlands recorded 14 shots to Germany’s five, created five big chances without reply and registered 26 touches in the opposition box compared with Germany’s 11. Their expected-goals figure rose from 0.57 in the first half to 2.61 after the break, producing an overall total of 3.18 against Germany’s 1.45.
Denzel Dumfries was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, while Mexx Meerdink had a goal ruled out for a foul by Virgil van Dijk. The Netherlands eventually got their reward when Gakpo met Ruben van Bommel’s cross with a powerful volley in stoppage time.
Xavi praises second-half response
“We were a bit nervous in the first half,” Xavi said. “So at half-time, I said that we had to show more personality. I asked for more ambition.”
He added: “I saw that in the second half. I’m glad that the players realised after the break that we were superior. We deserved more than this. We created a lot of chances, put on good pressure and took a lot of initiative.”
The Netherlands coach also praised debutants Meerdink and Van Bommel, while acknowledging that his team needed to improve in individual duels. The performance was statistically significant: it was the Netherlands’ first match with an expected-goals total above 3.0 against a nation ranked inside FIFA’s top 30 since June 2019.
Brobbey ruled out of remaining fixtures
Brobbey was replaced in the 35th minute after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury. Xavi confirmed that the striker would take no further part in the Netherlands’ remaining fixtures during the international break and said another forward would be called up.
“Brian is indeed injured, unfortunately, so we will call up another striker. We haven’t decided who yet. I haven’t had time for that yet,” Xavi said.
Gakpo criticised Germany’s decision not to stop play when Brobbey was down. “I think it’s normal to stop when a player is injured on the ground, although there are no rules for it. They didn’t do that, that’s not sporting,” he said. “And that we still managed to score an equaliser, is nice.”