Late equalizer seals Xavi's opening match

The Netherlands began their UEFA Nations League campaign and the managerial tenure of Xavi Hernández with a 1-1 draw against Germany at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Cody Gakpo scored an equalizer in stoppage time, converting a cross delivered with the outside of the right boot by debutant Ruben van Bommel. The match marked Xavi's first fixture in charge of the Dutch national team following the departure of Ronald Koeman. Xavi shifted the team from Koeman's previous five-man defensive system to a four-man backline, emphasizing high pressing. The starting lineup retained nine players from Koeman's final World Cup fixture against Morocco, with Quinten Timber replacing the injured Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders starting in place of Nathan Aké.

Disallowed goal and first-half injury blows

The Dutch side created early opportunities through Crysencio Summerville, Reijnders, and Gakpo, and thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute. Virgil van Dijk headed into the net from a corner after German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen misjudged the delivery, but referee Alejandro Hernández overturned the goal following a video assistant referee review, ruling that Brian Brobbey had impeded Ter Stegen. The opening half then saw injury disruptions on both sides. Germany striker Kai Havertz was forced off around the 30th minute following a collision with Timber. Five minutes later, Brobbey pulled up while attempting to win possession, suffering a suspected hamstring injury. Germany continued play while Brobbey remained on the ground, and Felix Nmecha scored the opening goal for the visitors.

“The pressing starts with him. He can hold the ball up well. In that aspect he is one of the best in the world, so we have to use him.”

Debuts for Meerdink and Van Bommel

Brobbey's withdrawal in the 34th minute allowed 23-year-old AZ forward Mexx Meerdink to make his senior international debut, becoming the first player to earn a debut cap under Xavi. Meerdink, whose father Martijn Meerdink played for the Netherlands against Ecuador in 2006, had previously been called up by Koeman in October 2025 before suffering a severe training injury in Zeist. Meerdink had multiple second-half opportunities to equalize, having one strike disallowed for a prior foul before his 73rd-minute effort from a tight angle deflected off Ter Stegen onto the post. PSV winger Ruben van Bommel, the 22-year-old son of former international Mark van Bommel and grandson of Bert van Marwijk, came on late in the match to provide the decisive assist for Gakpo.

Squad adjustments and upcoming schedule

The injury to Brobbey compounds existing attacking absences for the Dutch squad. Forwards Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert had already withdrawn before the window due to injuries, prompting call-ups for Meerdink and Guus Til. Xavi chose not to include veteran forwards Memphis Depay or Wout Weghorst, who both featured at the World Cup; Weghorst travelled on a family holiday to a Greek island after scoring in FC Twente's 3-2 victory over PSV on Sunday. Xavi confirmed that a replacement striker will be selected for the remainder of the international window. The Netherlands will next travel to face Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday, visit Greece in Thessaloniki on Thursday, and host Serbia in Eindhoven the following Sunday.

“We will now decide who that should be.”