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09/24 17:52 CDT Klopp all smiles after Germany debut, Haaland keeps scoring in
Nations League
Klopp all smiles after Germany debut, Haaland keeps scoring in Nations League
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
BERLIN (AP) --- Germany began a new era under Jrgen Klopp, Erling Haaland
scored two goals for Norway, and Cristiano Ronaldo was still playing for
Portugal in the Nations League on Thursday.
Klopp was all smiles in Amsterdam despite Cody Gakpo's late equalizer for the
Netherlands to draw 1-1 with Germany. Ruben van Bommel produced a brilliant
cross that Gakpo met with a flying volley in the second minute of stoppage time.
"Wow!" Klopp said of the goal. He wore the same Germany cap with the words "One
of 83 million," referring to the country's population, that he wore for his
squad announcement. He said at the time he wanted to "reclaim the flag" that
had been co-opted by the far right.
The Netherlands was also making a fresh start under new coach Xavi Hernndez,
but it was a bruising game that always seemed capable of boiling over between
two old rivals determined to arrest their slides from past heights.
"There were two teams, two very good football teams, in the same situation.
Both wanted to prove that things aren't quite as bad as they're currently
perceived to be. And that showed in the match," Klopp told broadcaster RTL.
Dutch players were unhappy when Felix Nmecha broke the deadlock in the 32nd
because the Germans kept playing despite an injury to Brian Brobbey, who had to
go off with what looked like a hamstring injury. Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk
raised his finger and exchanged angry words with Jonathan Tah as the German
celebrations prompted scuffles, whistles from the fans, and plastic cups thrown
on the field.
There were more scuffles in the second half, especially after a bad challenge
by Germany's Nadiem Amiri on Denzel Dumfries, who was able to continue.
Dumfries later clashed with Germany captain Joshua Kimmich.
Amiri was only playing because Jamal Musiala suffered a thigh problem in the
warmup. Kai Havertz also went off early after clutching the back of his left
thigh.
In the other group game, Tasos Douvikas scored a last-second winner for Greece
2-1 in Serbia.
Haaland stars again
Haaland scored twice for Norway to beat Denmark 3-2 in Oslo to take his tally
to 64 goals in 56 appearances for the country.
In the same group, the 41-year-old Ronaldo played 67 minutes for Portugal in a
1-0 win over Wales that gave new coach Jorge Jesus a successful start.
Jesus' decision to pair Joao Flix with the veteran star in attack paid off as
the 26-year-old Flix's early strike from outside the penalty area was enough
to decide the result.
Israel forward sent off
Israel's Sayed Abu Farchi was sent off after taking his celebrations too far
for the referee when he equalized against Austria in Linz. The Colorado Rapids
forward pulled out a corner flag and appeared to make a firing gesture, though
it was unclear if it was simulating a pool cue or a gun. He was promptly shown
a second yellow card, just four minutes after his first.
Phillipp Mwene and Sasa Kalajd?ic scored in the final minutes for Austria to
win 3-1.
In the other group game, Vedat Muriqi scored late for Kosovo to beat Ireland
1-0 in Pristina.
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