Jamie Leweling fires Germany past the Netherlands and into UEFA Nations League quater-final stage

VfB Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling marked his senior international debut with the winning goal as Germany secured their place in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League knockouts with victory over the Netherlands.

Germany 1-0 Netherlands
Goals: 1-0 Leweling 64'

German football paid tribute to recently retired international quartet Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos and İlkay Gündogan prior to kick-off. The party vibe continued as next-gen talent Leweling fired home inside five minutes, only for the VfB Stuttgart attacker's goal to be ruled out for an offside decision in the build-up against Bayern Munich counterpart Serge Gnabry. Julian Nagelsmann's charges continued to take the game to the visitors as Stuttgart left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt sent a low strike wide and Borussia Mönchengladbach's Tim Kleindienst missed with a header. Kleindienst went close again, before Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller tested Bart Verbruggen and Gnabry drilled just past the upright.

Germany had to withstand a wave of Netherlands pressure after the restart, though debutant goalkeeper Oliver Baumann remained untested. Gnabry fired off another warning shot as the hosts rediscovered their groove, before Leweling made it a case of second time lucky with an emphatic close-range finish following a Joshua Kimmich corner. RB Leipzig's Xavi took the bull by the horns in a bid to bring the Oranje back on level terms, but his thunderous strike was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Baumann. The Hoffenheim stopper was at it again in added time, diving full stretch to thwart Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen as the four-time world champions - unbeaten and top of Group A3 - progressed to the Nations League quarter-final stage with two group games to spare.

Match stats

• Germany have lifted four FIFA World Cups and three UEFA Euro titles, but the Nations League has so far eluded them.
• Leweling, 23, scored twice across 17 appearances for Germany's U19s, 20s and 21s.
• Nagelsmann has now won 10 of 17 games as Germany head coach (D4, L3).
• Aged 34 years and 131 years, Baumann is the second oldest player to make his Germany debut in the post-war era.
• Three Stuttgart players featured in consecutive Germany games for the first time since 2009.
• Gnabry's 22 goals for Germany make him the highest-scoring current squad member. However, his last international goal came in March 2023.

Teams

Germany: Baumann - Kimmich (c), Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstädt - Stiller (Anton 82') Pavlović (Schade 77') - Gnabry, Wirtz (Andrich 46'), Leweling (Gosens 87') - Kleindienst (Burkardt 82')
Unused subs: Blaswich, Nübel, Tah, Groß, Undav
Out: Führich (adductor), Füllkrug (calf), Havertz (knee), Henrichs (back), Koch (hip), Musiala (hip), Raum (ankle), Ter Stegen (knee)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Netherlands: Verbruggen - Dumfries, De Vrij (c), Van de Ven, Hato - Gravenberch (Geertruida 80'), Q. Timber (Wieffer (46') - Xavi, Reijnders (Malen 46'), Gakpo (Frimpong 65') - Brobbey (Zirkzee 75')
Unused subs: Flekken, Olij, De Ligt, Til, Kluivert
Out: Aké (hamstring), Schouten (knock), Van Dijk (suspended)
Coach: Ronald Koeman

As it happened!

1 - 0

(0 - 0)

Germany

FINAL

Netherlands

Nations League
Group A3 Group A3 Allianz Arena, Munich

Full-time: Germany 1-0 Netherlands

Smiles all around the Allianz Arena as Germany clinch a spot in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals thanks to a narrow but well-deserved win over the Netherlands - with Jamie Leweling capping a dream debut with the winning goal.

© Adam Pretty

Full-time

90'

+ 2

Yellow card

Nico Schlotterbeck

90'

+ 2

Yellow card

Waldemar Anton

90'

Four minutes of stoppage time indicated

Germany are nearly there.

90'

Blistering Baumann save

Now the other player making his Germany debut has a moment to shine as Malen completes a one-two on the edge of the box and sends a rasping drive towards the top corner until Baumann leaps across to punch clear.

87'

Leweling leaves the field

There is great applause for the goalscorer in Munich as he leaves the pitch after a fine Germany debut to be replaced by Robin Gosens.

87'

Substitution

Robin Gosens

Jamie Leweling

84'

Mittelstädt might have sealed it

Goalscorer Leweling lays the ball off intelligently on the edge of the box for his onrushing team-mate on the left. Mittelstädt's shot takes a big deflection that could have sent it anywhere, but it goes behind for a corner.

83'

Late changes to see it home?

Julian Nagelsmann introduces three substitutes in the space of five minutes - will that be enough to see the lead past the finish line and secure the spot in the Nations League quarter-finals?

82'

Substitution

Waldemar Anton

Angelo Stiller

82'

Substitution

Jonathan Burkardt

Tim Kleindienst

81'

Substitution

Lutsharel Geertruida

Ryan Gravenberch

79'

Schade showing his talent

The former Freiburg attacker charges forward a couple of times with real menace in the first minutes since his introduction, but can't quite get onto the ball behind the Dutch defence.

77'

Substitution

Kevin Schade

Aleksandar Pavlović

76'

Xavi hits the crossbar!

You can't give that youngster an inch, as any Bundesliga defender would attest! The Leipzig star cuts inside from the left and smashes on goal from just outside the box, hitting the crossbar in the process.

75'

Substitution

Joshua Zirkzee

Brian Brobbey

Set up superbly

The Dutch do try to respond with more attacking purpose - as Frimpong moves in from the right but has a cross blocked. The visitors' greater ambition might leave space for this confident Germany side to exploit in the final 20 minutes.

© Adam Pretty

67'

Koeman reacts

Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong becomes the second Bundesliga player to be brought on for the visitors in the second half after Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen.

67'

Substitution

Jeremie Frimpong

Cody Gakpo

64'

Leweling lashes in!

He's already had a goal disallowed on his Germany debut, now Jamie Leweling strikes for real! A Kleindienst header from a Kimmich corner was blocked and rolled out for Leweling to smash in with a thunderous drive from the edge of the box.

64'

Jamie Leweling

GOAL!

1:0

61'

Kimmich cannons into wall

Joshua Kimmich hits a free-kick from 20 yards out into the Dutch wall.

57'

Dumfries over

The Dutch defender gets a head to a corner but sends his effort well over.

56'

Gakpo goes out

Gakpo clips a free-kick from the right into the box and straight out of play for a Germany throw-in.

53'

Gnabry over

Germany's first chance of the second half falls to possibly their most impressive player so far tonight. Serge Gnabry completes a one-two with Bayern team-mate Joshua Kimmich to receive the ball in the box from a cut-back but scoops his shot well over.

51'

Momentum shift

Germany have barely been able to get on the ball so far in the second period.

48'

Oranje on the attack

The Netherlands step up a gear as the second half starts with a corner sent in before Gakpo clips a cross into the box. Germany defend both situations comfortably.

46'

Substitution

Mats Wieffer

Quinten Timber

46'

Substitution

Donyell Malen

Tijjani Reijnders

46'

Substitution

Robert Andrich

Florian Wirtz

46'

We're back

The second half starts with both sides making changes.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Germany 0-0 Netherlands

Germany have dominated and were unfortunate to have an early Jamie Leweling goal disallowed, yet the tie remains level at the break.

© ODD ANDERSEN

Half-time

45'

Two additional minutes

Can Germany make their pressure count before the break?

42'

Gnabry steals ball again

Serge Gnabry's pressing has posed the Netherlands all kinds of problems in the first half, and he races to take the ball off Timber on the edge of the area - only to send the ball wide of the post.

37'

Stiller header saved

Angelo Stiller sends a header in on goal from the edge of the box on his first start for Germany, following a cross from his Stuttgart team-mate Mittelstädt, but Verbruggen saves.

35'

Dutch dropping back

The Netherlands are getting men behind the ball as Germany continue to combine well.

30'

Reijnders booked

The Dutch midfielder flies into a sliding challenge against Pavlović and is shown a yellow card.

30'

Yellow card

Tijjani Reijnders

29'

Kleindienst goes close

Gnabry wins the ball high up the field again and pokes it forward to Tim Kleindienst, who hits a sharp drive from the edge of the box that flies just wide.

28'

Leweling looks to find net again

Germany are picking up steam here as Gnabry gets to the byline and pulls the ball back intelligently to Jamie Leweling, who takes aim but has his shot deflected behind.

26'

Wirtz almost works wonders

A fine bit of skill from Florian Wirtz leads to the Leverkusen playmaker seeing off two opponents with a shimmy. He tries to thread a pass through to Gnabry, but Timber puts in a sliding block.

24'

Advantage Germany?

The hosts have four shots so far to zero for the Netherlands, but they are yet to create any clear-cut openings.

20'

Xavi overruns it

The Leipzig playmaker tries to spearhead an attack on the break but runs the ball out of play for a goal kick.

16'

Kleindienst heads wide

Rüdiger crosses from the right and Kleindienst clips a header towards the goal, which sails wide to the left of the target.

Storm weathered?

Having survived Germany's early attacking onslaught and disallowed goal, the Netherlands enjoy their first solid spell of possession.

© Maja Hitij

11'

Mittelstädt has a pop

The Stuttgart full-back breaks forward on the left and has a chance to shoot just inside the box, but Verbruggen saves.

9'

Positive start

Germany have shrugged off the disappointment of having the early goal disallowed and are bringing the ball forward while probing the Dutch defence. Leweling pokes a pass through now to Kleindienst, whose shot from an angle is saved.

Leweling thought he had blasted Germany in front.

What a shame! Germany tear forward in the opening stages and Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling thought he had grabbed his first goal for his national team after a minute of his debut. Serge Gnabry stole the ball with some great pressing in the area and poked it to Leweling, who slotted in superbly from the edge of the box, but after a VAR check the goal was chalked off as Gnabry was offside from an earlier pass.

© Maja Hitij

1'

Off we go!

We kick off after a moment to remember Dieter Burdenski and Johan Neeskens.

Kick-off!

A legendary farewell

The packed stadium takes a moment to appreciate the incredible service of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Ilkay Gündogan and Toni Kroos to their national team prior to kick-off.

© Maja Hitij

Undav injured

Deniz Undav (pictured) scored twice in Bosnia on Friday, but he will not appear tonight despite being named on the substitutes' bench having since suffered a muscular injury.

© IMAGO

No away blues for Oranje

The Netherlands have lost just two of their past 13 away matches - but one of those defeats was in Germany.

Stuttgart series

Tonight's match marks the first time since 2009 that two consecutive Germany matches have featured three Stuttgart players.

Age no barrier for Baumann

Oliver Baumann is to become the second oldest player to make his Germany debut in the post-war era - and is the oldest goalkeeper ever to make his debut for Germany aged 34 and 131 days.

1:15

Watch: The best of Baumann

Germany's new goalkeeper for tonight is known for his superb saving ability.

What a venue

It's all set up - an international on an autumn night in Munich as an in-form Germany face their traditional rivals, the Netherlands.

© IMAGO/Bahho Kara/Kirchner-Media

More on that Germany team

There are two new faces in a German national jersey tonight as Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling (pictured) and Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann make their debuts. Aleksandar Pavlović and Angelo Stiller also make their first starts for Germany, while Tim Kleindienst retains his place in attack with Deniz Undav injured.

© IMAGO/Harry Langer/DeFodi Images

Germany starting XI

Baumann - Kimmich (c), Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstädt - Stiller, Pavlović - Gnabry, Wirtz, Leweling - Kleindienst

Germany subs

Blaswich, Nübel, Anton, Tah, Andrich, Gosens, Groß, Burkardt, Schade, Undav

Netherlands starting XI

Verbruggen - Dumfries, De Vrij (c), Van de Ven, Hato - Gravenberch, Timber - Xavi, Reijnders, Gakpo - Brobbey

Netherlands subs

Flekken, Olij, De Ligt, Frimpong, Geertruida, Til, Wieffer, Kluivert, Malen, Zirkzee

How does the 2024/25 Nations League work?

Germany are on the verge of qualifying for the new quarter-final round of the Nations League after a change to the format was made for 2024/25. bundesliga.com explains how the European version of the international competition works. Read all about it right here!

A legendary rivalry

Tonight will be the 48th meeting between Germany and the Netherlands. The two teams have been evenly matched throughout history, as their record against each other shows (17 Germany wins, 12 Dutch victories, 18 draws). Germany's most notable win against the Netherlands came in the 1974 World Cup final, whilst the Dutch were victorious in a semi-final tie against Germany en route to becoming European champions in 1988.

Germany can seal quarter-final spot tonight

A win tonight would guarantee Germany's place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals despite there still being two more group fixtures to play in November. The first knockout round takes place between the League A group winners and runners-up in March 2025, and the winners of these quarter-final matches will progress through to the finals in June.

Positive record at the Allianz Arena

Germany have played 12 times at the home of Bayern Munich since the stadium was officially opened in 2005. Their overall record stands at six wins, three draws and three defeats, with their most recent outing at the ground being the 5-1 victory over Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024.

© IMAGO/Dan Weir

Honours even last time out

The last Nations League meeting between the two sides came back in September at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Germany's goals came courtesy of Denis Undav and Joshua Kimmich as it finished 2-2 in Amsterdam.

© IMAGO/CB

2:22

Familiar with Frimpong's firepower

The Netherlands squad has a considerable Bundesliga representation, including Xavi of RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong. The wing-back has the ability to cause Nagelsmann's side real problems, as his 2023/24 highlights attest!

Stiller and Pavlović set to start

Julian Nagelsmann confirms that the pair will be given their full debuts for the German national team in a press conference on Sunday. "Angelo and Pavlo will play because they're good," he announced.

© IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto

Van Dijk suspended

The veteran defender will be unavailable for selection for this fixture as he serves a one game suspension, following his sending off (for two yellow cards) in the Netherlands' 1-1 draw with Hungary. This was Van Dijk's first red card of his international career.

Pavlović back

The midfielder has trained with the squad ahead of their clash with the Netherlands on Monday, having picked up a knock in the warm up ahead of Germany's 2-1 win in Bosnia on Friday. Julian Nagelsmann will be relieved that his extensive injury list has not got any longer.

© IMAGO/Heiko Becker

Four last Dankes!

Before the national anthems, 2014 World Cup Winners Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos - as well as former captain Ilkay Gündogan - will be honored for their immense successes for their national team. Kroos will not be there in Munich in person as he has a prior engagement at his youth academy in Madrid. Neuer, Müller, Kroos and Gündogan called time on their international careers after Euro 2024 this summer. Between them, the four have played 451 international matches for Germany.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

Debutant watch

Alexander Nübel, Tim Kleindienst and Jonathan Burkardt all made their debuts for Germany in Bosnia on Friday. All three made a decent case for further playing time in Munich with Kleindienst (pictured) having a goal disallowed.

© IMAGO

Führich out

Stuttgart winger Chris Führich will miss the clash with the Netherlands having sustained an adductor injury in the win in Bosnia. He is likely to miss the next two or three weeks and therefore is also set to sit out his club side's next Bundesliga clash at Bayern Munich on Sunday 19 October.

Julian Nagelsmann on the 2-1 win in Bosnia

"I'm satisfied, even if we scored a bit too few for our dominance," said the Germany coach, who praised Deniz Unav after his match-winning brace as "a proper little goalscorer."

© Lars Baron

Sitting pretty in pink

Germany's 2-1 win in Bosnia on Friday leaves them top of League A Group 3 after three matches - two points ahead of their opponents on Monday, the Netherlands.

© Maja Hitij

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action from Germany's UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands in Munich.