Published : 28 Sep 2026, 12:13 PM
Updated : 28 Sep 2026, 12:13 PM
Jurgen Klopp’s first home game as Germany coach ended in frustration as Greece claimed a historic win in Augsburg, while Portugal held off Erling Haaland’s Norway and the Netherlands finally got off the mark under Xavi Hernandez.
Greece Stun Germany
Dimitris Kourbelis scored the only goal as Greece beat Germany 1-0 in Augsburg for their first-ever victory over the four-time world champions.
Germany controlled possession for long spells but struggled to turn it into clear chances. Konstantinos Tzolakis tipped a Joshua Kimmich free-kick over the bar, while Felix Nmecha fired wide as the hosts searched for a breakthrough.
Greece gradually grew into the contest and almost punished Germany when Fotis Ioannidis shot narrowly wide after Kimmich lost possession.
The visitors eventually made their opportunity count in the 74th minute, when Kourbelis’ low effort took a deflection and beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The result left Greece top of Group A2 with six points from two matches, while Germany remained on one after opening with a draw against the Netherlands.
Klopp, however, was unfazed by his first defeat in charge.
“Personally, I’m completely unbothered by it. I’ve lost far more matches in my life than I would have liked,” he is quoted as saying by The Guardian.
“We absolutely need these kinds of matches,” he added, saying they were exactly the tests Germany had wanted at this stage of his rebuild.
Ronaldo Watches as Ramos Delivers
Portugal made it two wins from two with a 2-1 victory in Oslo, despite Haaland finding the net again for Norway.
Joao Felix put the defending champions ahead in the 17th minute before Haaland levelled nine minutes after the break.
Portugal responded almost immediately. Goncalo Ramos restored their lead three minutes later and Jorge Jesus’ side held on from there.
Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute, with Ramos starting in his place and going on to score the winner.
Jesus said before the match that Ronaldo had played almost 70 minutes against Wales three days earlier and he did not think the 41-year-old should start successive games in such a short period.
Ronaldo nevertheless attracted attention after the final whistle as he went straight to the dressing room rather than joining his teammates as they acknowledged Portugal’s travelling supporters. Jesus declined to comment on the episode afterwards.
Bruno Fernandes missed the match after carrying an injury into Portugal’s opening win over Wales, while Rafael Leao struck the crossbar as the visitors pushed for a third.
Meerdink Double Gives Xavi First Win
There was also a first victory for Xavi Hernandez as Netherlands coach, with Mexx Meerdink scoring twice in a 2-1 win away to Serbia.
Making his first Oranje start, Meerdink converted a first-half penalty after Crysencio Summerville was fouled.
Serbia responded immediately after the restart, Luka Jovic equalising less than a minute after coming off the bench.
The Dutch regained control, however. Ruben van Bommel struck the post before Meerdink found the bottom corner in the 69th minute for what proved to be the winner.
“It’s a boyhood dream,” Meerdink said afterwards. “Everything is happening so quickly.”
The only sour note for the Netherlands came early, when Cody Gakpo was forced off after 17 minutes with an ankle injury.
“It’s his ankle, that’s all I know,” Xavi said. “Hopefully it’s not too important.”
Ireland Put Controversy Aside
The Republic of Ireland responded to a turbulent buildup with an emphatic 3-0 win over Israel in Debrecen.
The fixture had come close to not being played after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable and the Ireland squad spent several hours discussing whether to take the field. A significant majority eventually voted to go ahead.
Once the match began, Ireland took control quickly.
Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, Adam Idah doubled the lead two minutes later and Jack Moylan made it 3-0 in the 25th, completing an 11-minute burst that effectively settled the contest.
Ireland’s players wore black armbands, there were no pre-match handshakes or pennant exchanges, and staff turned away during Israel’s anthem.
Denmark Deepen Wales Woes
Denmark claimed their first win of the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Wales in Copenhagen after controlling much of the contest.
Gustav Isaksen had an early effort ruled out for offside and Mikkel Damsgaard hit the post before the break, but Wales managed to reach half-time level.
That resistance ended eight minutes after the restart when Damsgaard’s free-kick was diverted into the net by Ben Davies.
Denmark kept pressing and doubled their lead in the 66th minute, Isaksen reacting quickest after Kieffer Moore cleared off the line and firing in via the underside of the crossbar.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy accepted afterwards that his side had been second best.
“I’m really hurting,” he said. “The best team won overall.”
Austria Stay Perfect
Austria made it two wins from two in Group B3 with a 3-1 victory over Kosovo in Vienna.
David Affengruber headed the hosts in front before Junior Adamu doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time.
Substitute Carney Chukwuemeka added a third after the break, with Edon Zhegrova’s late penalty providing only a consolation for Kosovo.
Elsewhere in League D, Lithuania and Azerbaijan drew 1-1 after exchanging early goals, while Gibraltar and Andorra played out a goalless draw.
