Netherlands and Germany play out 1-1 draw for Amsterdam on Thursday night inside UEFA Nations League, but two first-half injuries steal spotlight. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey both leave pitch before halftime as Netherlands draw with Germany. Both teams dey under new high-profile managers: ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp dey in charge of Germany, while Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez dey handle Netherlands.
Felix Nmecha give Germany lead from close range for first half. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo equalise for injury time when he volley inside brilliant cross from Ruben van Bommel. Germany name two different squads for this break, with different selection for first two and last two games.
But injuries for first half fit become major talking point. Germany striker Havertz catch knee from high boot by Quinten Timber for Amsterdam and had to be replaced. Netherlands forward Brobbey, fresh from hat-trick for Sunderland 5-3 defeat to Manchester City, then appear to suffer muscle injury.
Klopp and Xavi both dey manage in game for first time since leaving Liverpool and Barcelona respectively in May 2024. Late substitute Van Bommel become third generation for him family to play for Netherlands, following father Mark van Bommel and grandfather Bert van Marwijk.
Klopp talk after match: ‘We have to accept the result. Even though I badly wanted to win I take the draw. I was very, very, very pleased with a lot of the individual performances. Overall, I was very happy with the passion we showed. We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.’
For Arsenal, Havertz fitness na sudden worry. The 27-year-old only last 30 minutes for Germany UEFA Nations League clash with Netherlands on Thursday. Havertz get nod from new manager Jurgen Klopp to lead Die Mannschaft line, but he soon down for ground in agony. Germany international receive reckless challenge from Quinten Timber, brother of Havertz Arsenal teammate Jurrien. Netherlands midfielder catch Havertz studs up on knee and earn yellow card. Havertz receive medical attention on pitch before forced off, sparking concern for Germany and north London as he head straight down tunnel.
At first, e look like knee injury. But forward see holding him hamstring on ground, which heavily bandaged. Either issue fit spell disaster for Havertz. German miss first half of 2025-26 with knee injury wey need surgery. He also previously go under knife to repair serious hamstring injury in 2025. Germany confirm Havertz departure from squad, injury described as ‘muscle strain,’ although further tests go determine severity.
Klopp talk: ‘At the moment both are on the MRI. I hope we get the diagnosis tonight. But of course that’s not great now. I hope this is just nothing bad. The boys are probably out for us. But hopefully then also relatively quickly available again.’ Extent of Havertz injury still unknown, but he don already leave Germany camp to head back London for further treatment.
Good news for Arsenal be say newly combined September–October international break give Havertz over two weeks to get back full fitness before Gunners return for Premier League against Leeds United on Oct. 10. But if Havertz suffer significant hamstring injury, then he go need more than couple weeks to recover. Last time he suffer knee injury, he miss four months. Last time he suffer hamstring injury, he miss three months. No telling exact timetable until further tests determine severity.
Replacing Havertz no be major headache for Mikel Arteta selection wise. Manager get last summer blockbuster signing Viktor Gyokeres to call upon. Except Swede don get lackluster start to season, largely cast aside for Havertz. Gyokeres make just five appearances and only two be starts, neither come for Premier League. No. 9 get zero goals to him name so far for 2026-27 and even dey linked with transfer out of north London. Havertz, meanwhile, don find back of net for three of him seven appearances. Another option for Arteta na Mikel Merino. Midfielder sabi small about filling in as makeshift striker. He find great success doing that for Arsenal last season, as well as Spain for 2026 World Cup during summer.
After Jamal Musiala don already pull out shortly before kick-off, Germany coach Jurgen Klopp also forced early for Nations League match against Netherlands to substitute another high-profile player. Just under half an hour into duel with Oranje on Thursday evening, striker Kai Havertz sink to turf. After brief treatment, medical staff of DFB team signal for substitution, and international debutant Younes Ebnoutalib of Eintracht Frankfurt come on for Havertz for 30th minute. Right before Arsenal forward go down, he don clutch back of him thigh. That point to muscular problems as reason Havertz leave pitch early. Earlier, 27-year-old also take blow to knee. Dutchman Quinten Timber of Crystal Palace catch Havertz with nasty kick above knee. Whether that also get anything to do with substitution remain unclear, and precise diagnosis of injury still pending.
Musiala, another big-name player wey Klopp want start for him debut as Germany coach, no fit play at all. Bayern Munich playmaker said to suffer muscular problems during warm-up, which mean Klopp had to take him out of starting line-up at short notice. Mainz Nadiem Amiri unexpectedly move into German midfield instead. Following injury-plagued previous season, Havertz make good start to new campaign. At English champions Arsenal, he be undisputed starter, and he don already score three goals for first seven competitive matches of 2026/27. For Amsterdam on Thursday evening, he make him 63rd international appearance, while for disastrous 2026 World Cup Havertz make four appearances with three goals.
