Jamie Leweling enjoys dream debut as Germany edge out the Netherlands for vital Nations League win

Elsewhere, Randal Kolo Muani struck twice for France as they beat Belgium

Reuters
Monday 14 October 2024 17:19 EDT
Comments
Jamie Leweling (right) scored the winner on international debut
Jamie Leweling (right) scored the winner on international debut (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Germany midfielder Jamie Leweling enjoyed a dream international debut, scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory over visitors the Netherlands in the Nations League Group A3 that all but secured a spot in the next round.

The 23-year-old Leweling, one of two players making their debut for Germany, had put the ball in the net in the second minute but his effort was ruled offside. He was not to be denied just after the hour mark, though, firing into the top corner after the Dutch failed to properly clear a corner.

The Germans had the visitors on the backfoot from the start and apart from Leweling’s goal they had more chances to score through Tim Kleindienst and Maximilian Mittelstaedt as the Dutch struggled to find any way into the game.

The hosts kept at it after the break and came again close with Serge Gnabry in the 54th before Leweling drilled in the winner.

Jamie Leweling scored in the second half having been denied earlier by the offside flag
Jamie Leweling scored in the second half having been denied earlier by the offside flag (Getty Images for VW)

The Germans are top of the group on 10 points from four matches and all but guaranteed a spot in the next round, with the Dutch five points behind in second place.

Elsewhere, striker Randal Kolo Muani scored a brace as France took a giant step towards the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over hosts Belgium in a League A Group 2 clash in Brussels.

Kolo Muani netted his opener from the penalty spot after a Wout Faes handball, but Lois Openda equalised in first half stoppage time after Belgium captain Youri Tielemans had earlier missed a spot-kick.

Kolo Muani headed in a second just past the hour-mark and France were able to hold on for the victory despite losing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to a second yellow card with 14 minutes remaining.

In the group’s other fixture, Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored twice in a 4-1 home win over Israel in the Nations League as Luciano Spalletti’s side sealed their spot in the quarter-finals.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo found the net twice in Udine
Giovanni Di Lorenzo found the net twice in Udine (Getty Images)

The win kept Italy top of the League A Group Two with 10 points, one ahead of France who beat third-placed Belgium 2-1, and are now guaranteed to finish no lower than second regardless of their two remaining group games.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in