Klopp Gets First Germany Win as Portugal Thrive Without Ronaldo

Jurgen Klopp finally has his first victory as Germany manager. On Thursday, his side defeated Serbia 2-0 in the Nations League, providing relief for the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund coach, who had been under pressure after failing to win either of his first two matches in charge.

Klopp responded to the slow start by making sweeping changes. He named an entirely new starting XI from the team that lost to Greece in his previous outing, handing senior debuts to goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and winger Derry Scherhant. The bold selection signaled that Klopp is still searching for the right formula, and the early returns suggest he may have found something worth building on.

Germany were aggressive from the opening whistle, repeatedly pressing forward and creating a string of chances against a Serbian defense that struggled to cope with the pace of the home attack. Despite their dominance, the breakthrough did not arrive until the 39th minute, when Florian Wirtz delivered a precise pass to Tom Bischof, who scored his first goal for the senior national team in only his second appearance.

The goal settled German nerves and validated Klopp's decision to rotate his squad. Bischof's finish was calm and composed, the kind of moment that can kickstart an international career. Wirtz, already established as one of Germany's most creative players, was at the heart of the move, and he would soon add a goal of his own.

Nick Woltemade, another young attacker given a chance in the reshuffled lineup, spurned a clear opportunity at the back post shortly after Bischof's opener. That miss could have proven costly against a more clinical opponent, but Germany's control of the match never truly wavered. Just past the hour mark, Wirtz made amends for the earlier wastefulness by finishing neatly from the edge of the penalty area to double the lead.

From that point, Germany managed the game comfortably. The victory was thoroughly deserved, and it eased the pressure on Klopp, who had been facing questions about his ability to adapt to international management after a disappointing start. This was his third attempt at a win since taking over, and the performance suggested his methods are beginning to take hold.

Elsewhere in the Nations League, Greece were denied a third consecutive win by a late Netherlands equalizer in a 2-2 draw. The hosts had appeared in control after first-half goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Giorgios Masouras put them two goals ahead, raising the prospect of a statement result against one of Europe's traditional powers.

Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for the Dutch just before the hour mark, heading home to give his team renewed belief. The Netherlands pushed forward relentlessly in search of an equalizer, and their persistence paid off a minute from the end when Tijjani Reijnders found the net. It was a cruel blow for Greece, who had defended resolutely for much of the second half but ultimately could not hold on.

The result leaves both sides with questions to answer about game management, though the Netherlands will take encouragement from their refusal to accept defeat. For Greece, the draw will feel like two points dropped after such a commanding first-half display.

Portugal, meanwhile, demonstrated that they can cope without Cristiano Ronaldo. Playing their first match since the captain walked out on the squad, throwing his international future into doubt, Jorge Jesus's side earned a 4-2 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen. The result maintained Portugal's perfect record in Group A4, with nine points from three games.

Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Ramos scored in the first half to give the visitors a lead, but Denmark responded each time through Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund. The hosts refused to wilt in front of their own supporters, and for a while it seemed Portugal's off-field turmoil might translate into on-field vulnerability.

Instead, Portugal reasserted control after the break. Vitinha restored the lead in the 67th minute with a well-taken goal, and Joao Felix added a fourth late on to seal the win. The victory was especially impressive given the disruptive circumstances surrounding Ronaldo's abrupt departure, which has dominated headlines and raised questions about the team's unity.

Portugal now hold a six-point advantage at the top of the group, a commanding position that reflects both their quality and their resilience. Jesus will be pleased with how his players responded to adversity, though the longer-term question of Ronaldo's international future remains unresolved.

In other Nations League action, Wales secured their first points of the campaign with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Norway. Dan James and Neco Williams scored for the Welsh, who took advantage of Norway's numerical disadvantage to claim a much-needed win.

The match between Ireland and Austria in Dublin was briefly halted when tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch in protest at Ireland's previous fixture against Israel. Play resumed after a short delay, and the teams played out a 2-2 draw. Troy Parrott scored twice for Ireland, but his efforts were not enough to secure all three points.

The protest highlighted the ongoing political tensions surrounding Ireland's matches against Israel. Their next game, a "home" fixture, will be played behind closed doors in neutral Serbia, a decision that reflects the security and diplomatic sensitivities involved.

For Klopp, the night belonged to Germany's emerging players. Urbig and Scherhant will remember their debuts fondly, while Bischof's first international goal capped a memorable performance. Wirtz's influence continues to grow, and the team's cohesive display suggested that Klopp's intensive coaching is beginning to yield results.

The German coach has long been known for his ability to build competitive teams through high-energy pressing and collective commitment. Applying those principles at international level takes time, especially with limited training sessions and a rotating cast of players. The win over Serbia will bolster his authority and buy him room to continue experimenting.

In the broader Nations League landscape, the latest round of matches has produced plenty of drama. Late goals, protest interruptions, and the absence of one of football's biggest stars have all contributed to a compelling set of fixtures. Portugal's response to Ronaldo's departure may prove to be the defining storyline, while Germany's resurgence under Klopp offers hope for a nation eager to return to the summit of international football.