Greece stun Germany with Kourbelis strike in UEFA Nations League upset
Reviewed by Elison · Sun 27 Sep 2026UEFA Nations League · League A
GermanyFULL-TIME
GreeceSunday 27 September 2026 · 20:45
Our score 2-0MissedHot tip Germany to win✗ Lost
Introduction
Greece produced one of the more remarkable results in recent UEFA Nations League history, holding Germany to a 0-1 defeat thanks to a single, decisive strike. The result will send shockwaves through the group, as a German side that dominated virtually every statistical category found themselves undone by a resolute Greek defensive display and a moment of clinical finishing late in the second half.
How the Game Unfolded
The match got off to a feisty start. As early as the 17th minute, Germany’s Yann Bisseck was shown a yellow card, and Greece responded almost immediately when Georgios Vagiannidis was booked in the 18th minute. The disciplinary theme continued when Konstantinos Karetsas was carded for Greece in the 22nd minute, leaving the visitors walking a tightrope before the half-hour mark.
The second half brought further Greek bookings, with Panagiotis Retsos cautioned in the 57th minute.
But the most dramatic moment of the night belonged to Greece — and, somewhat unexpectedly, to Dimitrios Kourbelis. The midfielder had been booked in the 68th minute, yet it was his name on the scoresheet in the 74th minute as Greece took the lead against the run of play.
Despite the late pressure, Germany could not find a way through, and Greece held on for a famous victory.
The Numbers
The statistics paint a vivid picture of a match that defied its own logic. Germany registered 16 shots in total — eight from inside the box and eight from outside — with five on target. Greece’s goalkeeper was kept exceptionally busy, making five saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Greece managed just 228 passes and held the ball for only 24 percent of the match, yet their eight total shots included just one on target — and it was the one that mattered. Germany’s goalkeeper, meanwhile, was not called upon to make a single save throughout the entire game. Germany also earned eight corner kicks to Greece’s two, and both sides committed a similar number of fouls — 12 for Germany and 11 for Greece. Greece accumulated four yellow cards across the match, while Germany received one.
Conclusion
Greece’s victory was built on defensive discipline, collective organisation, and the kind of ruthless efficiency that Germany, for all their possession and pressure, could not match on the night. A single shot on target proved enough. For Germany, the result is a sobering reminder that dominance in statistics does not guarantee points on the board.
