AMSTERDAM: Germany conceded their earliest goal in 50 years but forced their way back to share the points as they drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in an entertaining Nations League Group A3 clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday.

Germany were stung early, Tijjani Reijnders giving the hosts the lead after 99 seconds, knocking a calm finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen after a perfect through ball from Ryan Gravenberch.

The shellshocked visitors gave up several chances in the opening half an hour but eventually fought back to lead as Deniz Undav scored on his first start for Germany when Jamal Musiala intercepted an errant pass from Matthijs de Ligt and captain Joshua Kimmich netted the second with a back post tap-in for a 2-1 halftime lead.

But the hosts recovered to equalise through Denzel Dumfries early in the second half in a game played at a quick tempo and with occasional flashes of temper to make it a spicy derby.

A late German penalty appeal was turned away by the Italian referee and Dutch skipper Virgil van Dijk was pleased with how things turned out.

“At times it was very good. We created chances, the guys who came on showed themselves well. That is what we want, that gives positivity,” he told reporters.

Germany forward Jamal Musiala told RTL his side were still adjusting to the loss of veterans Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Mueller, who all retired from international football in the summer.

“It wasn’t our day, but we need to learn from that. We need to be more secure with the ball but we can take some positives out of the game,” he said. “We’ve lost four legends from the team but it’s a process, the atmosphere is still really good.”

Germany top the standings, level on four points with the second-placed Netherlands, after both won their opening group games on Saturday. Bosnia, who are third, and Hungary in fourth place have a point apiece after they drew 0-0 in Budapest.

In London, England captain Harry Kane marked his 100th senior international appearance in trademark fashion with both goals in his team’s 2-0 victory over a feeble Finland side in Nations League Group B2.

The 31-year-old Bayern Munich striker, who received a golden cap before kickoff and sported a pair of dazzling golden boots, broke Finland’s gritty resistance with a dipping right-footed strike in the 57th minute.

At times it appeared to be a battle between Kane and Finland’s impressive keeper Lukas Hradecky on a wet London night with the stopper making several fine saves to deny the striker.

But a razor-sharp Kane beat Hradecky again in the 76th minute, sweeping in another right-footed effort to take his England tally to a record-extending 68.

England’s win was their second under interim manager Lee Carsley after the away victory over Ireland on Saturday and puts them joint top of their Nations League group with Greece who beat Ireland 2-0 on Tuesday.

“It was a big night for me, really proud. I want to score goals and help the team. Whenever you are doubted, it makes you more hungry to prove people wrong,” Kane, the first England men’s team player to reach 100 caps since Wayne Rooney in 2014. “I always back myself to score goals and I am excited for the future.”

While Kane took the spotlight, it was also another encouraging game for Carsley. Carsley is the first England manager to win his first two competitive games since Fabio Capello in 2008.

The 50-year-old, who replaced Southgate following his resignation after the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, has deployed an attacking game-plan that stands in stark contrast to his predecessor’s conservative tactics.

Whether that will be enough to earn him the job on a permanent basis remains to be seen, but his impressive start has given the Football Association food for thought before England return to action against Greece in October.

“I’m totally relaxed about the situation. I have got to do a good job,” Carsley said. “We have shown ourselves that we can do it. We can put ideas in place and the players have responded really well.”

Also Tuesday, Pavel Sulc scored twice to lift the Czech Republic to a 3-2 win over Ukraine, and Georgia beat Albania 1-0.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2024