Greece breaks German record in the Nations League

While Germany in the Nations League is still seen as the favourite, it suffered a historic defeat in Augsburg against Greece, who with a 0‑1 win beat the Germans for the first time and thereby took the lead in group A2, where the Netherlands also sits.

Germany suffers first defeat under Klopp

On Tuesday evening at the Augsburg Stadium Germany lost 0‑1 to Greece, a result described as historic because it is the first defeat for Jurgen Klopp as head coach of the Germans. It was also the first time the Greeks beat the Germans in the Nations League.

For Jurgen Klopp it is his first defeat as head coach of the Germans. Klopp, who selected as many as 44 players for the entire Nations League campaign, changed five starting positions compared with the 1‑1 draw against the Netherlands four days earlier, partly due to the recent injuries of Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.

For 30,000 spectators Germany immediately took the initiative; both Conte and Joshua Kimmich shot within the first seven minutes, but both missed. Despite 80 percent possession the team only created two serious chances after half an hour: Karim Adeyemi shot first, after which a dangerous strike from another player was saved by the Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

Klopp's disappointing home debut in Augsburg gives the Germans hope

Greece grabs group lead

The Greeks, who in the group stage surprisingly started with a 1‑2 defeat to Serbia, achieved their first win over Germany and thus took the lead in group A2, where the Netherlands also sits. Vangelis Pavlidis, former Willem II and AZ striker, started, while former FC Utrecht attacker Anastasios Douvikas, the match‑winner against Serbia, remained on the bench for the entire match.

In the 68th minute a loss of possession by Joshua Kimmich led to a chance for Pavlidis, who set up the substitute Fotis Ioannidis; Ioannidis, however, missed. Six minutes later the substitute Dimitrios Kourbelis scored, after receiving a pass from Nubel, and gave Greece the only goal of the evening.

Germany then tried by all means to force an equaliser, but the Greek defence held firm. In the coming weeks Germany can try to take revenge in Athens on Sunday 4 October, while four days earlier a home match against Serbia is on the agenda. In the same group the Netherlands remains in the race for the group top.

Klopp's setback: Germany unexpectedly loses to Greece

In group A4 a blunder by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland caused Portugal to win 1‑2 against Norway; João Félix opened the scoring, Erling Haaland equalised, and Gonçalo Ramos finished, allowing Portugal to take the lead in that group.