Jamie Leweling is Germany's unlikely hero! Lucky winger scores debut winner against toothless Netherlands as Julian Nagelsmann's side stay top of Nations League group

The 23-year-old was a surprise presence in the starting XI having only been called up due to an injury to Jamal Musiala. He then got the nod after Deniz Undav was also ruled out with an injury. Nevertheless, it took just two minutes for Leweling to make an impact as he smashed into Netherlands' net, but it was disallowed following a lengthy VAR review.

Germany's early dominance diminished as the first half wore on, but the Dutch were barely able to get the ball beyond the halfway line and managed to stay level thanks to some desperate defending and Verbruggen.

The visitors held onto the ball for almost three full minutes in a hopeful start to the second half but they were toothless against Germany's defence and didn't manage a shot until Denzel Dumfries' wayward header in the 56th minute.

Unsurprisingly, it was Germany who broke the deadlock when a failed clearance rolled in Leweling's path and he lashed into the top corner.

Netherlands finally showed some spark in the last 15 minutes when Xavi Simons found space outside the box and unleashed a shot that struck the bar. In the 90th minute, Donyell Malen's shot from outside the box forced an excellent save from Oliver Baumann, making his debut at 34 years of age, as the hosts held out for the win.

Stuttgart forward Leweling got the nod from Julian Nagelsmann due to injuries in the Germany squad but showed he was worthy of his place in the starting XI, seeing an early goal ruled out for a marginal offside before he broke the deadlock in a dull match.

Dutch defender Micky van de Ven looked reckless at centre-back and put his fellow defenders under pressure throughout the game. His attempt to block Leweling for the goal was terrible.

The Netherlands failed to attempt a single shot in a first half of a game for the first time since June 2019 (against Portugal) and recorded just one touch in the opposition box before half-time for the first time since August 2017 (against France).

Germany will hope to continue their unbeaten start to the Nations League when they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on November 16. Netherlands face Hungary on the same day.