Greece stun Germany 1-0 in losing home debut for Klopp

AUGSBURG, Germany, Sept 27 : Greece scored a 74th-minute goal through Dimitris Kourbelis to stun hosts Germany 1-0 in their Nations League Group A2 on Sunday to top the group and spoil coach Juergen Klopp's home debut on the German bench.

It was the first ever victory for the Greeks in 11 matches against the Germans, and they now lead their group on six points from two matches. Germany are on one point.

The hosts were in control for most of the game and had close to 80 per cent possession in the first half alone but they were ultimately punished for sloppy defending, especially in the second half, which gave the Greeks space to attack.

Klopp, who took over in July after Germany's early World Cup exit, has now failed to win either of his two matches in charge following a 1-1 draw against the Dutch in Amsterdam on Thursday. 

"I could have lived with us not winning but you cannot lose such a game," Klopp said. "We have been together for a week now, all mixed together, and that needs time.

"The result is not cool but it is absolutely part of the process," he said. Germany next play Serbia on Thursday before travelling to Greece three days later.

TWO WINS IN A ROW FOR GREECE

Despite enjoying a dominant first half it was only after they upped their tempo and started pressing higher that Germany carved out scoring chances.

Felix Nmecha fired wide in the 54th, a minute after Greece keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis had palmed a Joshua Kimmich free kick over the bar.

The Greeks, however, almost scored in the 66th after Kimmich lost possession in his own half but substitute Fotis Ioannidis fired just wide of the post.

They did better in the 74th with Kourbelis' deflected low drive that gave them the win to make it two victories in a row after