AMSTERDAM -- Xavi said his Netherlands side deserved to beat Germany and that their second-half display set the benchmark after they drew 1-1 with Jurgen Klopp's team on Thursday.

It was the first match in charge for both Xavi and Klopp as their Netherlands and Germany sides played out an entertaining and heated draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring for Germany in the 32nd minute before Cody Gakpo equalised in injury time with a volley from a Ruben van Bommel cross. Xavi's mood was tempered by Brian Brobbey being forced off in the first half; he will miss the remaining three Nations League matches in this international block.

"We were better than Germany today, we had a bit more. In the second half it was really good -- we showed our way to play," Xavi said. Netherlands had two goals disallowed: Virgil van Dijk's header for Brobbey's infringement on Marc-André ter Stegen, and Mexx Meerdink's effort after a melee. Xavi called for improvement ahead of Sunday's match away at Serbia, but praised the substitutes and the Netherlands fans. "The welcome they showed me was amazing -- the atmosphere was fantastic," he said.