Gruda scores on debut as Germany beat Serbia 3-1 in the Belgrade rain

Some players wait years for their first cap. Brajan Gruda scored on his. Germany beat Serbia 3-1 in Belgrade on Friday night, and a debutant stole the show.

What happened?

It rained, and it rained hard. Jürgen Klopp's team did not seem to mind. Germany dominated a weak Serbian side in the Nations League and looked serious from the start.

Gruda, 22, was the name everyone took home. He dribbled like a veteran and capped his first appearance for the national team with a goal. After the match, Klopp called it an "extraordinary debut".

Serbia, by contrast, were far below the level of the German team. Commentators described the hosts as poor opposition, while Germany's performance was called strong and mature.

Why is everyone talking about it?

Because this was the kind of debut that is rare. Gruda's name had been circulating for a while. Back in 2024, then national coach Julian Nagelsmann added him as an extra training player before Euro 2024. On Thursday we reported that he could finally make his debut in Belgrade. He did, and he scored.

The result matters too. Germany now have their qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals back in their own hands. Not bad for a night played in a downpour.

What's next?

The group will be decided on Monday. Germany face the Netherlands in what is effectively a final, with a quarter-final ticket at stake.

For Klopp, 59, it is the perfect setup: a confident squad, a new attacking talent and a big game against a familiar rival. Whether Gruda starts again is not yet known.