England 2-0 Germany; Three Lions Send Die Mannschaft Packing From Euro 2020

The Game

In seven tournament meetings between these two European giants, Die Mannschaft had won four, lost two to the Three Lions, and drawn one. In total, including friendlies and minor tournaments, England has played Germany (or West Germany) 32 times, with the Germans edging the head to head 15 to 13, with four draws.

It was Joachim Low’s 198th game in charge of Germany after over 15 years. Gareth Southgate had missed the penalty that sent England out of Euro 1996 and Germany on their way to win it. This was billed as his redemption game. “What’s happened for me as a player is totally irrelevant in terms of tomorrow’s game, so of course I’m always motivated to want to win,” the England manager responded.

England got this far by scraping victories against Croatia and the Czech Republic with a draw against Scotland in the middle. Germany lost their opening game to France, beat Portugal and drew a determined Hungary. Southgate switched to a back 3 formation to match the Germans with Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka behind Harry Kane. Germany’s only change was Timo Werner who came in for Serge Gnabry.

First Half

Leon Goretzka came driving forward in the second minute and played in Joshua Kimmich. The wing-back hung a dangerous ball that Kyle Walker had to head behind. A loose ball dangled through on goal and Leon Goretzka was on to it. Declan Rice had to pull him back to prevent a chance. The England midfielder got a yellow card for his effort.  Germany continued their ascendance until Bukayo Saka began to get the ball. On 15, Raheem Sterling forced Manuel Neuer into a very good save with a mid-range curling shot. From the resulting corner-kick, Harry Maguire headed into the German captain’s hands. The England players were getting into the game.

England got a secession of set-pieces but Germany defended most of them well. On 26, one of those set-pieces led to Kieran Trippier lofting a great cross but Maguire headed over. Germany made a rare foray forward with Kai Havertz, Thomas Muller, and Kimmich combining. Robin Gosens was at the back post to head Kimmich’s cross but Trippier and Kyle Walker defended him well. On 31, Havertz set Timo Werner on goal but Jordan Pickford came out quickly to save. Great chance missed! On 34, Toni Kroos dropped deep before finding Kimmich with a long pass. The cross was defended well before the assistant raised his flag.

In the final minute of the first half, Thomas Muller gave the ball away to Sterling who drove at the Germany goal. Matthias Ginter put in a challenge on the Manchester City attacker but the ball fell to Harry Kane. He had to take it around Neuer and that allowed Mats Hummels to get in and take it away from him. So close to opening his Euro 2020 account. Halftime. England 0-0 Germany

Second Half

On 48, Germany worked the ball out to Gosens and he put his cross in. The ball came out to Kai Havertz who volleyed the ball deliciously but Jordan Pickford reacted so quickly to tip it over. What a shot! And it is matched by the save. In the 66th minute, Antonio Rudiger found Havertz who drove forward before releasing Werner. John Stones did well to block his effort. The camera panned to Jadon Sancho doing his warm-ups. 

On 68, Serge Gnabry replaced Timo Werner and Jack Grealish Bukayo Saka. The England fans went wild for the Aston Villa man. Four minutes later, Trippier took a knock to his glutes. England broke the deadlock after 70. Raheem Sterling started the move and moved it on to Harry Kane. Kane to Grealish, Grealish to Luke Shaw who squared it for Sterling to finish. England 1-0 Germany. Wembley went wild in an uproar. His third goal at Euro 2020.

England had shown that they know how to hold on to 1-0 leads but you wouldn’t know with the way they gave Germany a chance back into the game. Sterling gave it away and Havertz sent Muller through on goal but the raumdeuter dragged the shot wide. What a chance!

On 86, England pulled away with the second goal. Luke Shaw won it from a tepid Gnabry and drove forward. He played in Grealish who crossed for Harry Kane to head home and score his first goal at Euro 2020. England 2-0 Germany. 

Leroy Sane for Gosens, Emre Can for Ginter, and Jordan Henderson for Declan Rice. It ended that way as England defended their box in numbers. England 2-0 Germany it finished at Wembley.