Three-way Nations League tie could leave Germany in danger

German media are already examining a possible three-way tie in the Netherlands’ Nations League group after Germany dropped points against Greece. Oranje lead Group 2 on eight points from four matches, level with Greece, while Germany sit third with five. Serbia are bottom without a point.

Sport1 has highlighted what it calls a “rare scenario” in which Germany could win both of their remaining matches and still miss the quarter-finals. If the Netherlands defeat Greece and Greece subsequently beat Serbia, while Germany collect six points, the Dutch, Germans and Greeks would all finish on 11 points.

Only the top two countries progress to the quarter-finals. In a three-team tie, the first criterion would be the points collected in matches between the Netherlands, Germany and Greece, meaning their respective results against Serbia would be disregarded at that stage.

If the teams remained level, the next separator would be goal difference in those head-to-head games, followed by goals scored in the same fixtures. Overall goal difference, including matches against Serbia, and then overall goals scored would come into play only if the earlier criteria failed to settle the order. German outlets Sky Sport Deutschland and Bild were critical after the Greece draw, with Bild describing the opening phase of the Klopp era as a faltering start after one win, two draws and one defeat.