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Netherlands pile more misery on Germany

Last Updated 14 October 2018, 11:23 IST

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk led the Netherlands to a crushing 3-0 win over Germany in the Nations League to ramp up the pressure on German coach Joachim Loew.

A first-half header by Dutch skipper Van Dijk gave the hosts the lead in Amsterdam.

With the German defence in disarray, late goals from Memphis Depay and Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum sealed the win on a golden night for the Oranje at Amsterdam's Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday.

This is the first time the Dutch have beaten Germany for 16 years and the comprehensive defeat leaves Loew under increasing pressure to resign after 12 years in charge.

These are dark days for the Germans, still reeling from their woeful World Cup display when they crashed out early after finishing bottom of their group.

Defeat in Loew's 168th international means Germany are once again last -- this time bottom of Group One in the Nations League.

Van Dijk opened the scoring with a well-taken header after Ryan Babel had headed against the crossbar on 30 minutes.

Depay then compounded Germany's misery by stroking home a pass from Quincy Promes three minutes from time after the pair got in behind the defence.

Depay then hit the Germany crossbar moments before Wijnaldum netted Holland's third goal just before the final whistle.

Germany now face world champions France in Paris on Tuesday and Loew can ill afford another heavy defeat.

Ireland held

Republic of Ireland are still waiting for their first win in the Nations League after being held to a dour 0-0 draw by Denmark in Dublin, on Saturday.

Martin O'Neill's side are bottom of their three-team group, with this tepid stalemate at Dublin's Aviva Stadium following a 4-1 thrashing by Wales in their first match.

Ireland are without a win in their last four competitive matches.

Denmark beat Wales in their opener and have four points from two matches in the new competition, which offers qualification for Euro 2020.

Gibraltar enjoy first win

Gibraltar won a competitive international for the first time with a 1-0 Nations League victory over Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday -- after being mistaken for Liechtenstein.

The tiny British overseas territory beat an Armenia team including Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan thanks to Joseph Chipolina's 50th-minute penalty.

It was the first time they had won a match other than a friendly since joining UEFA in 2013 and their players danced with joy at the final whistle.

Yet the night had begun badly for the visitors when the national anthem of Liechtenstein was played before kickoff, prompting a disgruntled tweet from Gibraltar's FA.

"The Gibraltar FA is very disappointed to note that, prior to tonight’s UEFA Nations League match versus Armenia, the national anthem of Liechtenstein was played," it said.

"The Armenian FA has apologised to the Head of Delegation representing the Gibraltar FA in Yerevan for this oversight and an announcement has been made at the national stadium apologising for the error."

The blunder appeared to motivate the Gibraltar players as they held out against the hosts -- whose best achievement was just missing out on qualification for Euro 2012 -- for the last 40 minutes having had only 28 percent possession and mustering two attempts on target.

Armenia, captained by Mkhitaryan, had 35 shots -- 10 of them on target.

Gibraltar's shock win took them level with Armenia on three points in League D Group 4, six behind leaders Macedonia.

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(Published 14 October 2018, 11:16 IST)

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