LEWELING THE HERO AS GERMANY BEAT NETHERLANDS
Jamie Leweling starred on his senior debut and bagged the only goal of the game as Germany overcame the Netherlands 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.
Stuttgart’s Leweling was cruelly denied a dream start to his international career when his strike inside two minutes was disallowed for offside by VAR. The winger thought he had fired the hosts ahead on his debut, but Serge Gnabry was ruled to be marginally offside in the build-up.
Germany controlled the opening stages of the game, with Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen called into action a handful of times to keep the hosts at bay.
The Netherlands weathered the early storm and then gained some control in the match which helped them survive until half-time with the match finally poised.
Not much separated the teams in the second half, until another moment of magic from Leweling gave Germany lift off. The 23-year-old picked up a loose ball from a corner and struck a sweet, first-time rocket into the roof of the net as he finally sealed his debut goal.
The Netherlands looked to hit back and came close through late strikes from Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen, but 34-year-old debutant Oliver Baumann made two incredible saves to protect a special clean sheet.
Germany held on for the three points, which means they moved five points clear of Ronald Koeman’s side at the top of Group A3.
