Gakpo's stoppage-time volley denies Klopp a winning Germany debut
Jurgen Klopp's return to management ended in a share of the spoils, as Cody Gakpo's stunning stoppage time volley cancelled out Felix Nmecha's controversial first half opener to earn Xavi's Netherlands a 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam on Thursday.
The fixture marked the first competitive assignment for both managers in their respective roles, with Klopp back in the dugout for the first time since departing Liverpool, and Xavi taking charge of a national team for the first time in his coaching career.
Germany arrived with fresh injury concerns even before kick off, having lost playmaker Jamal Musiala to a muscle problem felt during the warm up, though they nonetheless began the match with real intensity and purpose.
Kevin Schade and Karim Adeyemi both threatened early for the visitors, while Virgil van Dijk appeared to have given the Netherlands the lead in the 14th minute, only for his header from a corner to be ruled out by VAR.
The Dutch continued pressing for a breakthrough, with Brian Brobbey denied a clear penalty appeal after appearing to be impeded by Jonathan Tah inside the box, before Germany gradually began to seize control as the half progressed.
Germany's opener arrived amid genuine controversy in the 32nd minute, coming just as Brobbey had gone down with what looked like a hamstring injury, prompting Dutch protests for play to be halted immediately.
The referee waved away those appeals, allowing Germany to work the ball forward before Felix Nmecha turned home from close range after Karim Adeyemi's initial effort had been blocked inside the penalty area.
Brobbey was unable to continue following the injury and was replaced by Mexx Meerdink shortly afterwards, compounding a difficult opening period for both sides that also saw Kai Havertz forced off with a knee complaint.
Debutant Younes Ebnoutalib came on in Havertz's place, as Germany looked to manage their growing injury list while attempting to protect their slender advantage heading into the second half of the contest.
The Netherlands pushed hard for an equaliser after the restart, with Meerdink twice denied by Marc Andre ter Stegen before later striking the post, as Denzel Dumfries and Van Dijk also went close from a series of corners.
Tempers flared midway through the second half when Nadiem Amiri was booked for a poor challenge on Dumfries, sparking a brief confrontation between the pair, with further yellow cards soon following for both Van Dijk and Dumfries.
With Germany appearing set to hold on for a winning start under Klopp, substitute Ruben van Bommel produced the decisive moment deep into stoppage time, dispossessing Serge Gnabry near the halfway line before driving forward.
Van Bommel whipped in a perfectly weighted cross from the left, allowing Gakpo to meet the ball at the back post and volley home a stunning equaliser that ultimately secured a share of the spoils for the Dutch.
Guus Til almost snatched a dramatic winner moments later, heading narrowly wide from a deep cross in what proved to be the final meaningful action of the match, as Germany finished the contest reduced to ten men.
That reduction came after a late injury left the visitors without any remaining substitutions, forcing them to see out the closing stages a man light against a Netherlands side growing increasingly confident in search of a winner.
Klopp had taken charge of Germany back in July, tasked with rebuilding the national side following their shock early exit from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay earlier this year.
Xavi, meanwhile, was appointed Netherlands coach in August after Ronald Koeman stepped down following the Dutch side's own disappointing exit in the round of 32, becoming the first foreign coach to lead the national team since the 1978 World Cup.