Greece stunned Germany 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, with Dimitrios Kourbelis scoring the decisive second-half goal to hand his country its first-ever victory over the four-time world champions and leave Jürgen Klopp searching for his first win as Germany head coach.
Germany controlled large periods of the Group A2 contest at the WWK Arena but struggled to turn their possession into goals. Kourbelis punished the hosts in the 74th minute when his low effort took a deflection off Germany captain Joshua Kimmich and beat goalkeeper Alexander Nübel.
Germany control proceedings
Klopp made five changes to the side that drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in his opening game in charge, with Alexander Nübel replacing Marc-André ter Stegen in goal. Yann Aurel Bisseck partnered Jonathan Tah in central defence, while Bambase Conté was handed his international debut.
Conté almost made an immediate impact, sending an effort narrowly wide in the opening minutes. Germany gradually established control of possession, with Karim Adeyemi emerging as one of their biggest attacking threats.
Adeyemi threatened after the half-hour mark but was unable to find the breakthrough. Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was also called into action as Germany attempted to translate its dominance into a lead, but the visitors reached half-time with the score goalless.
Greece withstand pressure
Germany continued to push after the restart and created further opportunities, with Tzolakis denying Conté before keeping out a Joshua Kimmich free-kick. Felix Nmecha also had an opportunity after being set up by Adeyemi but failed to find the target.
Greece, however, became increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack as Germany committed players forward. Fotis Ioannidis was presented with a major opportunity after Germany surrendered possession, but his effort went wide with only Nübel to beat.
The warning was not heeded, and Greece found the decisive goal minutes later.
Kourbelis delivers winner
Christos Tzolis helped create the breakthrough after attacking down the left before the ball eventually fell to Kourbelis on the edge of the penalty area. His low strike deflected off Kimmich, wrong-footing Nübel and finding the bottom corner in the 74th minute.
Klopp responded by introducing Serge Gnabry for Adeyemi as Germany went searching for an equaliser. Bisseck headed wide shortly afterwards, while Gnabry also threatened from a difficult angle, but Greece remained disciplined at the back.
Further changes followed as Germany attempted to rescue the contest, but the Greek defence held firm through the closing stages to complete a historic victory.
Klopp still awaits win
The result meant Klopp remained without a victory after his first two matches as Germany coach. His tenure had begun with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, where Germany conceded a late equaliser, before Greece inflicted his first defeat in charge.
The loss also marked a disappointing home debut for the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager. Despite Germany enjoying the bulk of possession and creating more chances, their inability to find a clinical finish proved costly.
For Greece, the victory ended a long wait for success against Germany. They had failed to win any of the previous 10 meetings between the countries before Kourbelis’ strike finally broke that sequence.
Greece make perfect start
The victory gave Greece six points from their opening two Nations League matches and sent them to the top of Group A2. They had begun their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Serbia before following it with their landmark success in Augsburg.
Germany, meanwhile, remained on one point after two matches and will next attempt to secure their first victory of the campaign when they face Serbia. Greece will look to extend their perfect start when they take on the Netherlands.
The contrasting starts have left Greece with early momentum in the group while Germany face pressure to quickly convert their possession and attacking opportunities into results under Klopp.