By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Jurgen Klopp recorded his first victory as Germany coach as his side defeated Serbia 2-0 in Munich, while Portugal secured a 4-2 win over Denmark without Cristiano Ronaldo in the latest UEFA Nations League fixtures.

The victory ended a difficult start to Klopp’s tenure. The 59-year-old had opened with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands before Germany suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat to Greece.

A third consecutive match without a win would have created an unwanted record for Klopp, but Germany responded with a disciplined performance against Serbia.

“We’ll make a video out of it now. That’s how we want to play,” Klopp said after the match.

Germany created several opportunities before finally breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute. Tom Bischof reacted quickest to the rebound after Florian Wirtz struck the post, giving the hosts the lead.

Derry Scherhant, Nick Woltemade and Serge Gnabry had earlier missed chances for Germany, while goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and Scherhant were among the players making their international debuts.

Klopp also introduced Cologne forward Said El Mala after halftime for his first appearance for the national team.

Wirtz eventually doubled Germany’s advantage after receiving a cross from Maximilian Mittelstädt. The Bayer Leverkusen star controlled the ball with his first touch before finishing with his second to put the result beyond Serbia.

Wirtz described the victory as important for the team’s confidence and morale.

“It was important to win again, just for the spirit in the team, and to send a signal out that we’re good football players and also a good football nation,” he said.

The Netherlands were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Greece in Thessaloniki after Tijjani Reijnders scored an 89th-minute equaliser.

Greece took the lead through Fotis Ioannidis, who also assisted their second goal. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for the Netherlands before Reijnders struck late to rescue a point.

The Dutch side had also required a late equaliser in their previous meeting with Germany.

Despite the draw, Greece remained at the top of Group A2 following its earlier away victories over Serbia and Germany.

Portugal also secured an important victory, defeating Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen without Ronaldo after the veteran forward left the national team camp following a dispute over his starting position.

Goncalo Ramos stepped into the starting role and played a key part in Portugal’s performance. He assisted Joao Cancelo for the opening goal before scoring Portugal’s second shortly after Mikkel Damsgaard had equalised for Denmark.

Rasmus Højlund brought Denmark level again in the 53rd minute, but Portugal restored its lead when Vitinha headed in from Bruno Fernandes’ free kick.

Ronaldo had left the squad after coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that he would not start the match for a second consecutive Nations League fixture.

The 41-year-old later said he had decided to leave the training camp after speaking with the Portuguese Football Federation president.

Ronaldo also suggested that he would eventually explain his reasons for leaving the team, prompting further questions about his future with the national side.

Jesus, however, maintained that the team’s selection rules applied equally to every player.

Ronaldo is Portugal’s most-capped player and leading international goalscorer, with 234 appearances and 146 goals. He has represented the country since making his senior debut in 2003 and captained Portugal to European Championship glory in 2016.

Norway took the lead through Oscar Bobb, but Daniel James equalised before halftime.

Norway were reduced to 10 men when defender Torbjørn Heggem was sent off for a foul on James. Neco Williams then converted from the resulting free kick to give Wales the lead.

Erling Haaland was unable to score for Norway, ending another match without a goal for the prolific striker.

Ireland’s Nations League meeting with Austria was briefly disrupted when protesters threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the pitch during the first half.

One protester carrying a Palestinian flag also attempted to enter the field before being stopped by stewards.

On the pitch, Troy Parrott scored twice for Ireland, including a solo effort, but Austria fought back through Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch to earn a 2-2 draw.