Football
2020 European Championship Qualifying, Group Stage
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2
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 GER
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ESPN 5y

Schulz nets late winner as Germany beat Netherlands in Euro qualifier

A dramatic late winner through Nico Schulz saw Germany beat Netherlands 3-2 in their opening match of 2020 Euro qualifying in Amsterdam on Sunday.

Germany came into the match off the back of a 1-1 friendly draw against Serbia on Wednesday and were deservedly ahead inside of 15 minutes when Leroy Sane blasted a second-touch finish past Jasper Cillessen from a difficult angle.

Manuel Neuer made two outstanding saves to preserve Germany's lead on 25 minutes, twice denying Ryan Babel on the doorstep from a pair of thunderous shots.

Soon after, the visitors would double their lead through Serge Gnabry, who picked up a long ball from Antonio Rudiger down the left flank, cut inside against Virgil van Dijk and curled a perfect shot past Cillessen into the upper-right corner.

Netherlands could have gone further down before half-time, but Cillessen corralled Thilo Kehrer's bullet header and then tipped a shot from an onrushing Sane wide of the post to keep his team down 2-0 to Germany at the break.

The hosts halved the deficit right at the start of the second half when Matthijs de Ligt rose head home an inswinging Memphis Depay cross to the delight of supporters at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

The goal seemed to breathe new life into the Netherlands and just past the hour mark they drew level when Memphis picked up a loose ball in the Germany penalty area and beat Neuer at the near post to make it 2-2.

It was the second time since November that the Netherlands had come from two goals down to equalise against Germany -- a feat they managed in their Nations League finale in November that relegated Jogi Low's side to League B -- and for Depay it was his 11th goal in his last 15 internationals.

With Netherlands looking more likely to snatch the winner, Germany snatched a late goal when substitute Marco Reus picked out Schulz in the penalty area and the Hoffenheim wing-back cooly slotted home to earn the visitors all three points.

The win was Germany's first in the Netherlands since 1996 and will surely ease pressure on manager Jogi Low as he oversees a youth movement with the national team.

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