Denzel Dumfries’s close-range equaliser ensured the Netherlands shared the spoils in their Nations League clash with Germany, but Ronald Koeman’s team were left rueing missed chances in the first half.

In a pulsating game, Tijjani Reijnders gave the Dutch an early lead, but the visitors went into the break in front after scoring twice near the end of a first half in which Oranje had looked far more threatening.

Nathan Aké was taken off near the end of the first half after going down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, while Matthijs de Ligt was substituted at half-time after being culpable for both German goals.

Head coach Ronald Koeman said he was positive about the performance, but admitted his team conceded possession too cheaply in the first half.

“There were a lot of very good things for us today,” he told NOS. “On the ball there were some sloppy moments in the first half, which gave us teething troubles and meant we had to drop too deep.

“We had the best chances on the counter-attack, but you know that against Germany there are going to be moments when you have problems. Overall I think this week has been a huge compliment for the team.”

Dream start

Koeman brought in Ajax’s Brian Brobbey up front for Joshua Zirkzee, who scored on his debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the opening Nations League match on Saturday.

The Dutch got off to a dream start when Ryan Gravenberch’s through-ball carved open the defence, allowing Reijnders to run clear and shoot low beyond Marc-André ter Stegen.

Oranje should have made it two on 14 minutes when Xavi Simons planted a free-kick on the head of Denzel Dumfries, but the defender fired the ball wide.

Simons had the next big chance when an outstanding crossfield pass by Gravenberch picked him out on the left-hand side, but his shot was too close to Ter Stegen.

Germany were enjoying plenty of possession but rarely threatened Bart Verbruggen’s goal, with their best chance coming when Kai Havertz drew a fingertip save from the Dutch goalkeeper after being picked out by Florian Wirtz.

De Ligt out

But seven minutes before the break De Ligt’s careless ball on the right side was easily intercepted by Jamal Musiala. Wirtz’s shot was beaten out by Verbruggen, but Deniz Undav whipped the rebound past the goalkeeper’s shoulder.

Aké was stretchered off three minutes later after going down as he stretched for a ball in the penalty area. And the Germans added to the misery in stoppage time when Joshua Kimmich tapped in from close range after De Ligt failed to cut out a cross by David Raum.

With Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke replacing De Ligt at half-time and Quinten Timber on for Aké, Oranje swarmed into the German penalty area in search of an early equaliser.

They got it after five minutes when Brobbey held off Nico Schlotterbeck on the byline before dragging the ball back for Dumfries to slide the ball in.

Germany turned the screw as the second half wore on, with Raum heading a good chance over the crossbar in the 70th minute, while Kai Havertz looped a close-range effort over with the goal at his mercy.

Koeman brought on Wout Weghorst for Brobbey in the last 10 minutes, but the giant striker was unable to make a serious impression as both teams had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Germany top League A group 3 on goal difference from the Netherlands with four points from two matches, while the other two teams, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Hungary, both have a single point after drawing 0-0 in Budapest.