Germany Beat Serbia 3-1 as Klopp Sets Sights on the Netherlands

Bornheimer – Germany beat Serbia 3-1 in Belgrade on Friday, 13 November 2026, to keep their UEFA Nations League quarter-final hopes alive. Jürgen Klopp’s side struck twice in the opening 14 minutes, then added a third through debutant Brajan Gruda after half-time. Serbia pulled one back, but Germany left with the three points they needed to stay in contention. The result took them to eight points, level with second-placed Greece in League A, Group 2. Meanwhile, the Netherlands moved three points clear at the top after beating Greece 7-0. That leaves Germany with a difficult final assignment against the group leaders. Still, the trip to Belgrade showed what Klopp wanted to see before that match: a team that took the initiative away from home and made its strong start count on the scoreboard.

Two Goals in 14 Minutes Put Germany in Control

Germany went ahead in the third minute when Srđan Babić diverted Kai Havertz’s header into his own net. Florian Wirtz then made it 2-0 before the match reached the quarter-hour mark. An own goal can give a team an early lift, but the second goal mattered more to the shape of the contest. Serbia now had to find two goals rather than wait for one chance to draw level. Meanwhile, Germany could choose when to press for another instead of chasing the game. Wirtz had also scored in the reverse fixture, and his contribution in Belgrade confirmed Germany’s early advantage. From Klopp’s perspective, that opening was worth more than a good spell of possession. His side had turned its pressure into a lead before Serbia could settle into the match.

Brajan Gruda Marks His Germany Debut With a Solo Goal

Gruda gave Germany a third goal after the break, scoring on his senior international debut. It was a solo effort, and it gave Klopp’s side a bigger cushion before Babić scored Serbia’s reply. The timing mattered. At 2-0, one goal for the hosts could have changed the mood and given them a clear route back. At 3-0, the same goal still left Serbia with substantial ground to make up. That difference helps explain why Gruda’s contribution was more than a memorable debut moment. He converted a strong position into a more secure one. For Germany, the goal also offered a useful reminder ahead of the Netherlands match: a player who can turn one opening into a goal gives the team another way to win a tight contest.

Klopp Praises Germany’s Performance and Attitude

Klopp was pleased with the result, the performance and the attitude his players showed in Belgrade. He felt Germany could have scored more, but he saw little reason to criticise them after the win. Those two views fit together. A coach can want sharper finishing while recognising that the team did enough to control an away match. In this case, Germany created an advantage early and extended it after half-time. In my view, that is the most encouraging part of Klopp’s assessment. A team under pressure to win can become impatient, especially if its first few attacks come to nothing. Germany avoided that problem in Belgrade. The next test is whether they can keep making clear decisions if an early goal does not arrive against a stronger opponent.

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Serbia Pull One Back but Finish With Nine Players

Babić scored Serbia’s only goal, giving him a role at both ends after his early own goal. However, the hosts could not close the gap further. Vanja Dragojević and Andrija Živković both received red cards late in the match, leaving Serbia with nine players. The timing of those dismissals matters when judging Germany’s display. They came late, whereas Germany had built their lead much earlier. The away side’s first two goals, in particular, came while both teams still had eleven players. Serbia remained without a point after the defeat, but their reply still gave Germany a reminder about managing a lead. Even after going three goals ahead, they conceded. Against the Netherlands, where chances may be harder to come by, a similar lapse could carry a greater cost.

The Netherlands Send a Warning With Seven Against Greece

While Germany won in Belgrade, the Netherlands beat Greece 7-0 in Amsterdam and matched the biggest winning margin in Nations League history. Tijjani Reijnders scored a first-half hat-trick, while Jurriën Timber added two goals. Klopp took note of the result and said it made the final meeting an intriguing prospect. However, the score alone cannot tell Germany how the Dutch will play against them. Different opponents offer different spaces and put pressure on different areas of the pitch. What the result does show is how quickly the Dutch can build a lead when they find openings. For Germany, the practical challenge will be to manage the minutes after losing possession. If they can close passing lanes quickly, they stand a better chance of keeping the contest on their terms.

Eight Points Leave Germany Third Heading Into the Final Round

Germany sit third on eight points, level with Greece and three behind the Netherlands. As the top two in the group reach the quarter-finals, the closing round will decide which teams advance. A win over the Dutch would take Germany to 11 points and bring them level with their opponents. Greece’s result and the applicable tiebreakers can matter when teams finish level, so it is worth separating Germany’s target from the final calculation. The target on the pitch is clear: go for three points. The standings will then show what those points are worth. For supporters, that makes the Dutch match more than a test of form. It is a chance for Germany to turn the ground they gained in Belgrade into a place in the knockout rounds.

The Opening Minutes Against the Netherlands Could Set the Tone

Germany’s quick start in Belgrade offers a useful point of comparison for the final group match. Watch how Klopp’s side respond when the Dutch play through the first line of pressure. If Germany’s midfield stays close enough to contest the next pass, the team can keep attacking without leaving large spaces behind. Conversely, if the lines drift apart, Dutch runners may find room before the defence can adjust. The other detail to watch is Germany’s response if the score stays level. They will want to win, but forcing shots from poor positions can hand possession back too easily. A composed start may therefore matter as much as a quick goal. Belgrade showed what Germany can do when they take charge early. The Netherlands will test how well they adapt when control is harder to earn.