Augsburg had been ready to welcome Jürgen Klopp’s first home match as Germany coach, but the evening in Bavaria instead delivered a landmark result for Greece. Dimitris Kourbelis struck late to earn a 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory on Sunday, handing Klopp his first defeat in charge and giving Greece their first-ever win against Germany.
The result followed Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday, Klopp’s opening fixture at the helm. His side controlled much of the first half against Greece, recording 77% possession, yet their territorial authority did not produce enough clear openings.
Greece find the decisive moment
Karim Adeyemi came closest to breaking the deadlock for the hosts in the 32nd minute, drawing an important save from Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. Beyond that intervention, however, Tzolakis was not consistently tested during Germany’s dominant opening spell.
Greece grew into the contest after the interval and began to carry greater attacking threat. Fotis Ioannidis wasted a notable opportunity, while Jonathan Tah made a crucial defensive intervention to prevent another Greek chance from developing into a goal.
The breakthrough arrived in the 74th minute. Kourbelis, introduced from the bench, sent in a shot that took a deflection and beat the German goalkeeper, silencing a home crowd that had expected Klopp’s Augsburg debut to become a celebratory occasion.
Instead, Greece left Germany with a historic victory and a defining Nations League result, while Klopp’s new international role has quickly brought a reminder of how little possession can matter when the decisive moment belongs to the visitors.
