Netherlands scored four times in 32 second-half minutes to secure a remarkable 4-2 comeback victory against hosts Germany in their Euro 2020 Group C qualifier on Friday.
Goals from Frenkie de Jong, a Jonathan Tah own goal, Donyell Malen and Georginio Wijnaldum wrapped up the win after Serge Gnabry had given the hosts an early lead and Toni Kroos had pulled them level at 2-2 with a controversial penalty.
The result leaves Germany on nine points from four games, three behind leaders Northern Ireland, who they face on Monday in Belfast. The Netherlands move to six points from three games and next face bottom side Estonia.
It was a winning return to Hamburg for Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who won in the port city against the Germans as a player during Euro’ 88, and a clear mark of his team’s improvement after they failed to reach the last two major tournaments.
“I told my players (at halftime) to stay in the game, not to give them so much space, control the ball better,” Koeman told reporters. “That we should just keep going and we would get our chances. In the second half the Germans looked more tired and we benefited from that.”
“Overall we worked harder than Germany for this victory,” he said.
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