Staff Reporter.
Germany conceded a goal after 100 seconds 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.
Deniz Undav scored on his first start for Germany and captain Joshua Kimmich netted the second for a 2-1 halftime lead after the Dutch grabbed an early goal through Tijjani Reijnders.
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.
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake was carried off on the stroke of half-time after picking up what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old made his first Premier League appearance of the season for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 3-1 win against West Ham just before the international break, coming on as a late substitute.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman said further tests were needed to diagnose the injury.
“It looks like a muscle injury for Nathan, though I am not certain,” he said.
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.
Elsewhere captain Harry Kane became the first player to score two goals on his 100th appearance for England as he fired the Three Lions to 2-0 victory over Finland in the Nations League at Wembley.
The striker scored his 67th and 68th international goals in the second half, thundering an excellent strike in off the underside of the bar, then curling in a neat finish.
He becomes just the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, after Wayne Rooney (versus Slovenia in 2014) and Bobby Charlton (against Northern Ireland in 1970).