Germany claimed their first win under new coach Juergen Klopp on Thursday, defeating Serbia 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League, while Portugal overcame Denmark 4-2 without Cristiano Ronaldo and the Netherlands came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Greece.
Klopp selected a completely new starting XI from the side that had lost to Greece in their previous fixture, handing debuts to goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and winger Derry Scherhant.
Germany attacked the Serbia goal in waves but had to wait until the 39th minute to break the deadlock. Florian Wirtz picked out Tom Bischof, who scored his first senior international goal in only his second cap.
After Nick Woltemade missed a clear chance at the back post, Wirtz added the second just past the hour mark with a neat finish from the edge of the box. The result gives Klopp his first victory at the third attempt since returning to coaching.
Greece came close to recording three wins from three but conceded a late equaliser at home to the Netherlands. Fotis Ioannidis and Giorgos Masouras scored first-half goals for the hosts before Virgil van Dijk halved the deficit just before the hour mark. Tijjani Reijnders then completed the comeback a minute from the end to earn the Dutch a point.
Portugal, playing their first match since Ronaldo walked out on the squad and cast doubt over his international future, were made to work hard in Denmark before eventually winning 4-2. The result puts them top of Group A4 with a perfect nine points from three games.
The visitors scored twice in the first half through Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Ramos, but on each occasion Denmark responded. Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund netted for the hosts to level the score twice.
Portugal ultimately proved too strong. Vitinha grabbed a 67th-minute goal before Joao Felix added a late fourth to give Jorge Jesus's side a six-point lead at the top of the table following what has been a turbulent few days for the squad.
In other Nations League action, Dan James and Neco Williams scored as Wales beat 10-man Norway 2-1 to earn their first points of the campaign.
In League B, the match between Ireland and Austria in Dublin was briefly halted when tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch in protest at Ireland having played Israel in their previous fixture. Play soon resumed, but Ireland were held to a 2-2 draw despite two goals from Troy Parrott.
Ireland's next home fixture against Israel is set to be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Serbia.
