Germany defeated Serbia 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Thursday, October 1, in a UEFA Nations League Group A2 clash that finally delivered Jürgen Klopp his first victory as head coach of the German national team. Tom Bischof scored Germany's opening goal, while Florian Wirtz added the second after the interval.
Bischof and Wirtz Give Klopp His First Win
The victory snapped a frustrating start to the Klopp era. Germany had drawn 1-1 with the Netherlands before losing 1-0 to Greece, leaving little room for another disappointing result against Serbia. With regular captain Joshua Kimmich rested, Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry wore the armband while goalkeeper Jonas Urbig made his first Germany start on home turf in Munich.
How Germany Took Charge in Munich
Germany dominated large stretches of the contest from the opening whistle. Aleksandar Pavlovic curled an early shot just off target before Nick Woltemade planted a close-range header wide in the 11th minute, and Wirtz later struck the post before combining with Gnabry on another chance that drifted past the far post. Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic kept the scoreline level for the opening 38 minutes with a pair of reaction saves on shots from Gnabry and Wirtz.
The breakthrough eventually arrived just before halftime. Bayern Munich midfielder Tom Bischof fired in his first international goal five minutes before halftime, rewarding a half of sustained pressure from the hosts. Germany continued to push after the restart, and Florian Wirtz added a second in the 61st minute with a neat finish in the box to put the result beyond doubt.
Serbia's Search for a First Point Continues
Serbia, managed by Veljko Paunovic, arrived in Munich already bottom of the group after losses to both Greece and the Netherlands in the opening two matchdays. The visitors sat deep for long periods and were almost caught out further when Kosta Nedeljkovic narrowly failed to connect with a pass through the Germany box on a rare counterattacking opportunity. Petrovic remained busy into the closing stages, denying late efforts from substitutes as Germany searched for a third goal, but the damage from the two first-half strikes could not be undone.
The defeat leaves Serbia winless through three Group A2 fixtures, a stretch that has also included a run of poor results in exhibition matches heading into this international window. Their place at the bottom of the standings puts them firmly in danger of the relegation playoff that awaits the two lowest-placed teams in each League A group.
Group A2 Standings and What Comes Next
Thursday's result reshuffled the table alongside a 2-2 draw between Greece and the Netherlands played the same night. Greece extended its perfect start to move further clear at the top, the Netherlands sit second, and Germany's win lifted them to four points, level with the Dutch on points but behind on goal difference. Serbia remain rooted to the bottom without a point from three outings.
Both teams will close out the group phase in November. The fixture was played at the Allianz Arena on October 1, with the return meeting scheduled for November 13 at Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade, a game that could prove decisive for Serbia's hopes of avoiding the relegation playoff. Germany, meanwhile, is also set to host the Netherlands in its final group match later that same international window, a fixture that will likely determine the group's remaining quarterfinal berth alongside Greece.
For now, the win offers Klopp some breathing room after a difficult opening to his tenure, which had drawn comparisons to some of the worst starts by a Germany coach in the team's history. The performance in Munich, built on control of possession and sustained first-half pressure, gives the new coaching staff a platform to build on as the group returns to domestic club football before the November window. Fans following other international fixtures from this break, including Portugal's comeback win over Denmark and Brazil's thriller against Australia, saw a busy night of action across European and international soccer.