In a thrilling match in Munich, the German national soccer team secured a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the Nations League, primarily thanks to debutant Jamie Leweling’s powerful goal in the 63rd minute. The game marked a significant step for Germany towards winning their group and featured emotional tributes to departing legends Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller. Coach Julian Nagelsmann praised Leweling’s outstanding performance, which energized the team and showcased their dominance throughout the match.
The German national soccer team makes significant progress in the Nations League by defeating a surprisingly weak Dutch team 1-0 (0-0) during an emotional match in Munich, with a debutant shining in the spotlight.
In a celebratory atmosphere reminiscent of the World Cup, debutant Jamie Leweling propelled the German national team into the knockout stages of the Nations League for the first time. The Stuttgart sensation delivered a stunning goal with a powerful shot in the 63rd minute, securing the victory over their arch-rivals, the Netherlands. This win also marked a fitting occasion for Julian Nagelsmann as he celebrated a memorable anniversary as national coach, with legends like Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller watching from the stands and cheering on the team.
Leweling, who was added to the starting lineup shortly before the match, captivated the crowd of 68,367 at the Allianz Arena with his impressive performance, confirming Germany’s strong position in Group A3. The evening also featured a farewell celebration for the honored soccer heroes Neuer, Müller, and former captain İlkay Gündoğan, celebrated with a grand tribute in the stands: ‘Legends. Thanks for everything, lads’. Toni Kroos was celebrated as well, despite not being present.
Nagelsmann Introduces New Talent
Just days after a narrow 2-1 victory over Bosnia, Nagelsmann introduced two fresh faces into the lineup: goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who at 34 years and 134 days old, became the third oldest debutant in DFB history; and Leweling, who took the place of Deniz Undav due to injury concerns. Nagelsmann also made further adjustments in defensive midfield, opting for the youthful pair of Aleksander Pavlovic, 20, and Angelo Stiller, 23, alongside central defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who replaced Jonathan Tah.
The team launched into the game with vigor, and within two minutes, Leweling struck a potential early goal, which was unfortunately disallowed for offside after a lengthy review. Nagelsmann’s expression of disbelief illustrated his disappointment.
Pacing the Game to Victory
The disallowed goal set a tone of urgency for the German side, who pressed hard and quickly aimed to capitalize on ball recoveries. The absence of Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk, serving a suspension, left the Netherlands disorganized right from the start.
Before kickoff, veteran players Neuer and Müller inspired the German squad; Müller emphasized his desire for goals in a pre-match interview. Germany dominated the opening stages, displaying intensity, determination, and a commitment to high pressing. Leweling came close to scoring in the first half but was thwarted by Dutch captain Stefan De Vrij, who intervened just before a goal was scored (27′).
The Dutch eventually managed to establish some control, yet the Germans held the upper hand, continuously threatening to score. Gnabry nearly found the net before halftime (40′), and Tim Kleindienst was unable to convert a golden opportunity (43′).
Baumann Shines Bright
A year after Nagelsmann’s debut as coach, the second half saw Germany continuing their dominant play without any significant threats from the Netherlands, who failed to register a single shot on goal in the first half. Finally, a corner kick turned the tide; following a header from Kleindienst that was cleared, Leweling powered in a shot to net the decisive goal. He received accolades from teammates and coaching staff alike, with captain Joshua Kimmich praising his outstanding game. Nagelsmann also highlighted Leweling’s unexpected impact, admitting that he hadn’t anticipated such a stellar performance.
As Robert Andrich assumed a central role following halftime, Germany sought even greater control of the game. However, the Netherlands nearly equalized when Xavi Simons struck the crossbar (77′). Maximilian Mittelstädt also found himself in a scoring position but couldn’t convert (83′). Leweling received a warm ovation upon his substitution, and shortly after, Baumann delivered an impressive save against Donyell Malen (90′) to ensure the win. ‘Everyone performed admirably. The first half was the best we played all year, extremely dominant,’ Nagelsmann reflected at the press conference, emphasizing that the Dutch struggled to find solutions to their defensive challenges.