Skip to content

Netherlands 3-0 Germany: Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum all on target

Report as Germany fall to fifth defeat in nine matches

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the UEFA Nations League group match between Netherlands and Germany

Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum handed Netherlands a 3-0 UEFA Nations League victory at home to a Germany side that missed 21 opportunities on goal.

Liverpool defender Van Dijk headed the hosts in front (30) at the Amsterdam ArenA on Saturday night, and after Leroy Sane was guilty of missing Germany's best chance after the break, Depay (87) and Wijnaldum (90+3) wrapped up the victory late on.

It was the fourth time in six games Germany failed to find the net, while they have now won just three of their last 12 matches going into Tuesday's Nations League match against world champions France - live on Sky Sports.

Netherlands, meanwhile, pick up their first victory of the competition, but still trail France by one point in Group A1.

Nations League Group A1

Pl GD Pts
France 2 1 4
Netherlands 2 2 3
Germany 2 -3 1
Germany have now lost five of their last nine matches
Image: Germany have now lost five of their last nine matches

After a slow start, Timo Werner poked an effort wide 15 minutes in before Thomas Muller forced Jasper Cillessen to make a smart stop at his near post.

Netherlands led on the half-hour mark when Manuel Neuer misjudged a corner. The cross evaded the Germany goalkeeper before Ryan Babel's header deflected onto the bar, with Van Dijk on hand to nod in the rebound.

Player ratings

Netherlands: Cillessen (6), Dumfries (8), De Ligt (7), Van Dijk (8), Blind (7), De Roon (6), Frankie de Jong (7), Wijnaldum (8), Bergwijn (6), Depay (8), Babel (7)

Subs: Promes (6), Groeneveld (6), Ake (6)

Away Team: Neuer (5), Hector (6), Ginter (6), Hummels (5), Boateng (6), Kroos (6), Can (5), Kimmich (6), Werner (5), Muller (5), Uth (5)

Subs: Draxler (6), Sane (6), Brandt (6)

Man of the match: Memphis Depay

Virgil van Dijk scored the Netherlands' opener against Germany in the Nations League
Image: Virgil van Dijk scored the Netherlands' opener against Germany in the Nations League

Muller could only find the side netting as Germany searched for an equaliser, though it was Netherlands who ended the half on top with Depay sending two attempts wide.

Also See:

After half-time, Mats Hummels saw his header blocked on the line by Babel, while Julian Draxler fired a wild attempt over the bar moments after coming off the bench.

Team news

Denzel Dumfries and Steven Bergwijn were handed their first Netherlands caps, while highly-rated youngster Frenkie De Jong was deemed fit to start after missing Ajax's last two matches with injury.

Schalke forward Mark Uth made his debut for Germany, while Manchester City’s Leroy Same was among the substitutes.

Fellow substitute Sane then spurned Germany's best opportunity to level, with the Manchester City winger driving his effort beyond the far post from just outside the six-yard area.

Netherlands then twice punished Germany on the counter, with Depay turning in Quincy Promes' cross before Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum rifled an effort past the helpless Neuer in injury time.

Georginio Wijnaldum put the icing on the cake with Netherlands' third in injury time
Image: Georginio Wijnaldum put the icing on the cake with Netherlands' third in injury time

Man of the match - Memphis Depay

The Memphis Depay so seldom seen at Old Trafford, but a performance Manchester United fans knew he was capable of before leaving for Lyon.

The forward orchestrated almost every Dutch attack, and his pace was at times too much for the German defence. He got the goal his performance deserved, but having hit the bar and forced Neuer into a couple of saves, the 24-year-old could easily have claimed a hat-trick.

What's next?

The Nations League action continues for Germany as they travel to World Cup winners France on Tuesday - live on Sky Sports Mix - while Netherlands make the short trip to Belgium for a friendly on the same evening, live on the Sky Sports Football red button.

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Predict 6 correct scores for your chance to win Jeff's £1 million.