In the first of two challenges to prepare for Euro 2024, Germany smiled on their trip to Gallic soil. Against France, Julian Nagelsmann’s men surprised the host team (0-2) with goals surgically scored at the start of both stages.
After a pre-game marked by a minute’s silence in memory of Franz Beckenbauer and Andreas Brehme, the match could not have started better.
With just seven seconds having passed, Florian Wirtz once again demonstrated the unforgettable season he had with Bayer Leverkusen, putting the German team ahead in style. Taking advantage of the space available at the entrance to the area, the creative threw a bomb that Brice Samba just followed with his eyes.
From then on, France tried to reverse the deficit, getting close to the German goal and collecting several truly dangerous moves.
If Marcus Thuram, Kylian Mbappé (x2) showed hot blood in the decisive moments, Ousmane Dembelé had Ter Stegen as his biggest enemy, in a move in which Rabiot was also wasted in an unbelievable way.
The serenity in Havertz’s feet
Upon restart, Havertz was on the verge of 0-2 with a shot that was too wide, which served as a warning for what would follow. Shortly afterwards, Wirtz launched Musiala deep, and it was up to the Bayern München talent to serve the, this time accurate, Havertz on a plate. Thus, a new bucket of cold water was consumed for the Gallic team…
The moment allowed Germany to fill the confidence balloon and this was reflected in what there was to play for. Control passed to the German side, faced with a France seized by ineffectiveness and at the mercy of the opponent’s good form.
Havertz and Mittelstadt were on the doorstep of the third, as were Undav and Muller, with Samba’s brilliant reflexes helping to prevent the worst for France. In the final stretch, the French went up some holes again, Giroud threatened to reduce the disadvantage, but the score He even smiled at Germany.
