Shame, Klopp – Kimmich and van Dijk argue over Germany's opening goal

In the harsh light of the arena in Amsterdam, the ball lies still on the grass after the German eleven's 1-0 goal, while the German players celebrate and the Dutch players protest.

German joy, Dutch outrage

The German players celebrated their leading goal, the Dutch complained. The 1-0 of the German eleven raises the emotions. The Netherlands' captain is still angry after the match.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk called Felix Nmecha's strike a “shame”, because the Germans had not played the ball out of bounds, even though Brian Brobbey was lying injured on the ground.

Klopp and Kimmich reject accusation

National team coach Jürgen Klopp and DFB captain Joshua Kimmich firmly rejected the accusation of unfairness. Kimmich explained that he had played the ball to the right to Philipp Treu, which had launched the attack.

Klopp launches aggressive pressing against the Netherlands in Amsterdam

“I didn’t hear a whistle, so it continued completely correctly,” Kimmich said in the catacombs of the arena. “The referee stops the game, especially when a player has a head injury.”

Klopp emphasized at the press conference: “It was certainly not a shame. The goal is completely legitimate. I have no guilty conscience.”

When asked, Kimmich commented on van Dijk’s reaction: “I don’t consider that a reflective answer from him.” Van Dijk himself noted that everything is allowed out of emotion, but he considers the statement exaggerated.

Arsenal's Havertz forced off early as Germany fall to Netherlands

The debate about the opening goal remains alive in the aftermath of the Nations League encounter between Germany and the Netherlands and raises questions about the interpretation of the rule concerning injured players.