Greece produced one of the biggest surprises of the UEFA Nations League campaign on Sunday night, defeating Germany 1-0 in Augsburg to record their first-ever victory over the four-time world champions.
Dimitrios Kourbelis came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 74th minute, sending Greece to the top of League A Group 2 while leaving Germany still searching for their first victory under new head coach Jürgen Klopp.
The result was particularly painful for Germany because they controlled much of the contest and created considerably more attacking opportunities. But Greece defended with remarkable discipline, while goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis produced an outstanding performance to frustrate the hosts.
Germany entered the game looking for their first win of the new Nations League campaign after opening with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Klopp made five changes to the side that started against the Dutch. Alexander Nübel replaced Marc-André ter Stegen in goal, while Yann Bisseck came into central defence alongside Jonathan Tah. Josha Vagnoman and Nathaniel Brown also started, with Felix Nmecha and Joshua Kimmich operating in midfield.
Greece, meanwhile, arrived in Augsburg with confidence after beating Serbia in their opening fixture.
The visitors were forced to withstand considerable German pressure during the opening stages.
Germany moved the ball around quickly and repeatedly attempted to open gaps in the Greek defensive structure. Karim Adeyemi was particularly lively and came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time.
His curling effort tested Tzolakis, but the Greek goalkeeper reacted sharply to keep the ball out.
Germany went into the interval with the advantage in possession and attacking territory, but the score remained 0-0.
The first half statistics illustrated Germany’s dominance. The hosts had 79 per cent possession, completed 353 passes with 93 per cent accuracy and recorded seven shots compared with Greece’s four. Germany also managed four shots on target during the opening 45 minutes.
Greece made an adjustment at the start of the second half, replacing Giorgos Vagiannidis with Manolis Saliakas.
Germany continued pushing forward and came close again shortly after the restart.
In the 53rd minute, Kimmich curled a dangerous free-kick towards the corner, but Tzolakis produced an excellent save to keep Germany at bay.
A minute later, Felix Nmecha combined with Adeyemi before firing an effort that failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Klopp then turned to his bench, introducing Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt in the 65th minute as Germany looked for greater attacking penetration.
But Greece suddenly found an opportunity of their own.
In the 67th minute, Germany lost possession and Greece immediately exploited the opening. Fotis Ioannidis found himself with a clear sight of goal, but his effort went wide of Nübel’s goal.
Two minutes later, Greece’s coach Ivan Jovanović made another important change, bringing on Kourbelis and Ioannidis.
The decision soon paid off.
Kourbelis Delivers the Shock
Greece finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute.
After a sustained attacking move, Christos Tzolis helped create the opening before Kourbelis found space to fire towards goal. His effort took a deflection and wrong-footed Nübel, sending the ball into the net.
Germany 0-1 Greece.
The goal was Kourbelis’ reward for an immediate impact after coming off the bench and gave Greece a historic lead. UEFA confirmed that the strike was deflected and came just over 15 minutes from full-time.
Germany immediately increased the pressure.
Serge Gnabry replaced Adeyemi in the 75th minute, while Yann Bisseck almost equalised from a corner shortly afterwards, heading just wide.
Gnabry then attempted to make an immediate impact with a shot from a tight angle, but Greece continued to hold firm.
Klopp made his final changes in the 84th minute, bringing on Hennes Behrens and Anton Stach for Nathaniel Brown and Nmecha.
Germany threw bodies forward during the closing stages, but the Greek defence repeatedly cleared the danger.
Tzolakis remained composed whenever the hosts threatened, while Kourbelis and his teammates worked tirelessly to protect their narrow advantage.
Greece even had another opportunity late in the match when Fotis Ioannidis shot wide after creating space against the German defence.
Four minutes of stoppage time were added, but Germany could not find the equaliser.
The final whistle confirmed a famous 1-0 victory for Greece.
Germany Dominates the Numbers, Greece Takes the Points
The statistics made the result even more striking.
Germany finished with 16 shots compared with Greece’s eight, while the hosts had five efforts on target against Greece’s one. Germany also enjoyed 76 per cent possession, completed 667 passes and had eight corners. Greece managed only two corners.
But football is ultimately decided by goals, and Greece converted their most important opportunity.
The victory moved Greece to six points from two matches, putting them top of the group. The Netherlands followed on four points, while Germany remained on one point after two games.
For Klopp, it was a frustrating home debut. After drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands in his first competitive match in charge, the German coach now has one point from his opening two Nations League fixtures.
For Greece, however, the night will be remembered for years.
They had never defeated Germany in their previous 10 meetings, but Kourbelis’ 74th-minute strike finally changed that history.
Greece defended, absorbed the pressure and waited for their moment.
