Germany set up Netherlands clash after 3-1 win over Serbia

Germany beat Serbia 3-1 in Belgrade on Friday in a Nations League match, setting up a decisive meeting with the Netherlands in Berlin on Monday to determine who tops Group A2. The Netherlands’ 7-0 annihilation of Greece in Amsterdam means the Germans will probably need to win on Monday to reach the quarter-finals, unless Serbia beat the Greeks away from home.

In teeming rain at an almost empty stadium in Belgrade, Germany forced Serbia defender Srdan Babic into an early own goal. Florian Wirtz and debutant Brajan Gruda also scored for Germany. Babic made up for his blunder with a second-half consolation strike. Serbia finished the game with nine men after substitutes Vanja Dragojevic and Andrija Zivkovic were sent off late on.

Germany have now won twice, drawn twice and lost once in five games under coach Jürgen Klopp. "We played a truly fantastic game. Our counter-pressing was superb and the intensity was top-notch. So, from my point of view, it was a really, really good game," Klopp told RTL.

The Netherlands hammered Greece 7-0 in Amsterdam. Crysencio Summerville put the hosts ahead in the sixth minute. Tijjani Reijnders netted a first-half hat-trick and they were 5-0 up at the break, with Jurriën Timber also scoring before half-time.

Timber struck again just before the hour mark and Donyell Malen got the final goal. The scale of the Dutch victory leaves Germany facing a likely must-win fixture in Berlin if they are to reach the quarter-finals, unless Serbia defeat Greece away from home.

Switzerland, playing in the second tier of the Nations League for the first time, kept their bid to return to the top level on track with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia, their closest rival in Group B1.

Germany and the Netherlands meet in Berlin on Monday to decide who tops Group A2, with a German win likely required to secure a place in the quarter-finals unless Serbia beat Greece.