Gakpo denies Klopp perfect start as Xavi’s Netherlands rescue draw against Germany

Jürgen Klopp had predicted his bow as Germany manager could be wild, a trait he would accept as long as his team looked lively. He got both in a strange, frayed and at times alarmingly pinball-like game that ended with a dramatic Netherlands equaliser and mounting injury worries.

Felix Nmecha’s first-half goal, scored to the chagrin of opponents who felt play should have stopped with Brian Brobbey requiring treatment, seemed to have provided an early shot of positivity. But a brilliant added-time strike from Cody Gakpo, volleyed in from Ruben van Bommel’s delicious cross, earned the home side a deserved draw to…