Greece Make History With First-Ever Win Over Germany

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Greece secured one of the biggest victories in its modern football history on Sunday, defeating Germany 1-0 in Augsburg to record its first-ever win over the four-time world champions.

Dimitris Kourbelis scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute, while goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis produced several important saves as Ivan Jovanovic’s side held on for a historic victory. The result gave Greece two wins from two in the Nations League and put the team at the top of its group.

Germany controlled much of the opening period and created the better chances. Greece, however, remained organised and created its first opportunity in the seventh minute when Konstantinos Karetsas cut inside and curled a shot just wide.

Germany continued to dominate possession and looked for openings. Karim Adeyemi threatened in the 20th minute, while Younes Ebnoutalib failed to find the target four minutes later.

Greece nearly took advantage of a set piece in the 26th minute. Karetsas delivered the free kick and, after Germany cleared, Thanasis Androutsos struck from the edge of the area, but German defenders blocked the effort.

Germany then countered and Adeyemi found space, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

The hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute. Adeyemi created space outside the area before curling a left-footed effort towards the corner, but Tzolakis produced an excellent save to preserve the 0-0 scoreline.

Greece responded through Christos Tzolis in the 38th minute, but his effort failed to trouble Alexander Nübel. Germany continued to create the more dangerous openings, but the teams went into half-time level.

Tzolakis keeps Greece in the game

Germany resumed with the same intensity after the break. In the 49th minute, Bambasé Conté tested Tzolakis with a powerful low shot, but the Greek goalkeeper reacted well to make the save.

Four minutes later, Tzolakis intervened again, this time denying Joshua Kimmich from a dangerous free kick. The Germany captain sent the ball towards the corner, but Tzolakis dived to push it behind for a corner.

Greece gradually pushed higher up the pitch and created its best opportunity of the match to that point in the 67th minute.

Greece won possession high up the field and Vangelis Pavlidis played the ball to Fotis Ioannidis, who shot first time. His effort narrowly missed the post.

It proved to be a warning.

Kourbelis writes his name into Greek football history

Seven minutes later, Greece finally found the breakthrough.

In the 74th minute, Pavlidis spotted the space and switched play to launch the Greek attack. The ball reached Kourbelis, who faced the German defence before creating room for a shot.

The Greece midfielder showed composure, used a feint to evade his marker and fired towards goal. The shot took a deflection off a German defender and changed direction before finding the net. German reports identified Kimmich as the player who deflected the effort beyond Nübel.

Germany 0-1 Greece.

The Augsburg stadium fell silent as the Greek players celebrated a goal that put them ahead against Germany.

Greece hold on for historic victory

Germany immediately tried to respond. Yann Bisseck headed wide in the 77th minute as Greece concentrated on protecting its lead.

Jovanovic’s side managed the closing stages with composure, closed down the available spaces and prevented Germany from creating the clear opportunity it needed to equalise.

Ioannidis nearly settled the match in the 88th minute when he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that went narrowly wide.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for Greece.

The result marked Greece’s first victory over Germany in their history. Before Sunday’s match, Germany had won seven and drawn three of their previous 10 meetings with Greece.

The victory also gave Greece a perfect six points from its opening two Nations League matches. Jovanovic’s team will now prepare for the next stage of the campaign with the historic win in Augsburg firmly established as one of the national team’s landmark results.

Germany 0-1 Greece

Goal: 74′ Kourbelis
Yellow cards: 16′ Bisseck, 19′ Vagiannidis, 22′ Karetsas, 57′ Retsos, 68′ Kourbelis
Red cards: None
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (England)

Germany: Nübel, Brown (84′ Behrens), Bisseck, Vagnoman, Tah, Kimmich, Nmecha (84′ Stach), Conté (65′ Wirtz), Schade (65′ Burkardt), Adeyemi (76′ Gnabry), Ebnoutalib.

Greece: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis (46′ Saliakas), Tsimikas, Mavropanos, Retsos, Zafeiris (59′ Kourbelis), Androutsos, Karetsas, Tzolis (81′ Masouras), Tetteh (59′ Ioannidis), Pavlidis (89′ Michailidis).

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