Germany stun Netherlands as Hazard marks milestone

Germany defender Nico Schulz scored a late winner as their new-look side snatched a 3-2 victory away to the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2020 Group C qualifier on Sunday, an absorbing clash that swung in fortunes from one side to the other.

Germany had seemed well set for victory after a superb first half produced goals for Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry to give coach Joachim Loew an unexpected fillip as he seeks to restore the flagging fortunes of the 2014 world champions.

But some of the frailties of the last 12 months returned as they let their grip on the game slip, with Memphis Depay laying on a goal for Matthijs de Ligt and then scoring the equalizer himself in another influential display from the in-form forward.

Wing-back Schulz produced the decisive moment of the match though when he netted in the final minute after a fine build-up down the left to re-establish Germany's advantage and claim a crucial victory to get their qualifying campaign underway.

Germany and the Netherlands have three points each, though the latter have now played two matches.

After Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen had denied Gnabry at close range, the visitors hit the front as Schulz provided a low cross from the left from which Sane took a touch and scored with a powerful shot.

A rampant Germany doubled their advantage after 34 minutes as Gnabry twisted his way around Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk before curling a 25-meter shot into the corner of the net, the fifth international goal in six caps for the former Arsenal forward.

Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands and Leroy Sane of Germany vie for the ball during the 2020 UEFA European Championships Group C qualifying match at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Dutch pulled one back within three minutes of the halftime break through as Depay provided an inviting cross for teenage defender De Ligt to head home his first international goal.

Depay, fresh from two goals and two assists on Thursday against Belarus, leveled the score just past the hour-mark with a low finish into the bottom corner as the visitors failed to clear the loose ball in the box.

It was the second time since November that the Netherlands had come from two goals down to equalize against Germany, and for Depay it was his 11th goal in his last 15 internationals.

But the visitors had the final say as Marco Reus's pass found an unmarked Schulz in the box and he was able to settle the contest with a low finish that gave Cillessen no chance.

Nico Schulz of Germany celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2020 UEFA European Championships Group C qualifying match against the Netherlands at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

Hazard's milestone

Eden Hazard marked his 100th cap with an early goal to set Belgium on their way to a comfortable 2-0 away win over Cyprus.

Michy Batshuayi got the other goal for the top team in the FIFA rankings, who began their campaign last Thursday with a 3-1 home success over Russia and now have six points from their opening two games in Group I.

Hazard opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a curling shot after Batshuayi had set him up. It was his 30th international goal as the 28-year-old Chelsea star became the third Belgian to reach the 100-cap mark after Jan Vertonghen and Axel Witsel.

Eden Hazard of Belgium tries to shoot during the European Qualifier Group I match against Cyprus in Nicosia, Cyprus, March 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

Batshuayi doubled the score eight minutes later, running on to a pass over the top of the home defense from Thorgan Hazard, knocking it past the onrushing goalkeeper Urko Pardo and sliding the ball into the empty net from a tight angle.

Belgium, without injured regulars Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Witsel, cruised through the rest of the contest to stretch to 12 games their unbeaten record against the Cypriots, who had beaten San Marino 5-0 at home on Thursday in their opening qualifier.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Wales won over Slovakia 1-0, Russia smashed host Kazakhstan 4-0, Hungary beat Croatia 2-1, Israel grabbed a 4-2 victory over Austria, San Marino lost to Scotland 2-0, Northen Ireland edged past Belarus 2-1, Slovenia made a 1-1 draw with FYR Macedonia, while Poland handed Latvia a 2-0 loss.

(With input from agencies)