Greece scored a 74th-minute goal through Dimitris Kourbelis to stun hosts Germany 1-0 in their Nations League Group A2 on Sunday to top the group and spoil coach Juergen Klopp’s home debut on the German bench.
The hosts were in control for most of the game and had close to 80% possession in the first half alone but they were ultimately punished for sloppy defending, especially in the second half, which gave the Greeks space to attack. Klopp, who took over in July after Germany’s early World Cup exit, has now failed to win either of his two matches in charge following a 1-1 draw against the Dutch in Amsterdam on Thursday. The Greeks, however, almost scored in the 66th after Kimmich lost possession in his own half but substitute Fotis Ioannidis fired just wide of the post.
Despite enjoying a dominant first half it was only after they upped their tempo and started pressing higher that Germany carved out scoring chances.
Ben Davies scored a 53rd-minute own goal and Gustav Isaksen added another on the hour as Denmark eased past Wales 2-0 to earn their first points in Group A4. In a politically charged encounter in Group B3, Ireland scored twice in three minutes early in the first half to ease past Israel 3-0. Felix Nmecha fired wide in the 54th, a minute after Greece keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis had palmed a Joshua Kimmich free kick over the bar.