Netherlands cut a figure of relief and frustration after the final whistle in the UEFA Nations League game against Germany. The Dutch scored a late goal in stoppage time to prevent a defeat to an inferior German side. But, according to Virgil Van Dijk, the Germans should have never scored their lone goal of the game in the first place.
After the game, captain of the Netherlands, Virgil Van Dijk did not mince his words. Van Dijk stated that it was a “disgrace” that Germany’s goal was allowed to stand
(viaSport1 as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Van Dijk’s counterpart on the German side, Joshua Kimmich gave a nonchalant reply over the Dutch captain’s statement. “That’s not a reflective answer from him,” said Kimmich, affirming his position that it was a legal goal as adjudged by the referee.
The Dutch perspective
At the center of Van Dijk’s statements is Netherlands’ forward Brian Brobbey’s early injury in the game. The Dutchman went down following a tussle in the 32nd minute and his compatriots demanded that Germany stop the play. However, having taken possession and finding the rest of the opposition team in position, the Germans did not stop. The sole point that favors the home side is that Brobbey could have tracked back and joined the press.
The German perspective
Captain Joshua Kimmich switched flanks and orchestrated a grounded cross into the penalty box. Despite the cross being intercepted by a Netherlands player, the ball fell favorably for Germany’s Felix Nmecha, who fired it home for the first legal goal of the game.
Now, the contention that Brobbey’s injury necessitated that Germany stop play is not on the most solid of grounds. Brobbey is a striker, playing at the most forward position of his team. Secondly, even without Brobbey, as Germany set up their play, the numbers were still in favor of Van Dijk’s men. It was a 9 vs. 8 situation showing a well-structured Dutch grid. Nmecha’s goal came against a well-positioned and numerically superior opponent with a little luck.
Also, the fact that the ball went as far as the penalty box before changing flanks with only pressure from the zonal marker is a key hint. It shows that Brobbey may not have pressed all the way back to change the outcome of the play and that is an important factor for the ref to consider.
While neither the ref not the VAR deemed the goal illegal, should Germany have stopped solely due to the fact that one of the opponent is down? Additionally, if the opponent is not as relevant to defend the attack, then does that change the situation and make playing on the right thing to do ? Let us know your take on this incident.
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