Image Source – EFE /
The Barcelona goalkeeper was sensational in preventing the French team from narrowing the gap in Rudi Voller’s debut on the German bench. The bad news was the injury to Gündogan, who had to be substituted in the first half.
The German national team took advantage of the first opportunity they had, against none other than France, to suggest that perhaps the team’s problem was indeed Hansi Flick. The Germans won in Rudi Voller’s debut (2-1), thanks in large part to a spectacular Ter Stegen who thwarted the efforts of a trailing opponent that wanted to equalize but fell short.
Didier Deschamps decided to keep Kylian Mbappé on the bench, who has been carrying a knee injury for a few weeks, and soon saw how his team could pay for it. Just as the ball started rolling, Müller completed a great combination play for Germany (3′), which almost immediately came close to a second goal through Gnabry.
As minutes passed, both teams shared control of the game. In fact, France began to enter Ter Stegen’s area, and this is how Kolo Muani protested a possible penalty by Rüdiger, which the referee did not see. The PSG forward was the first to generate danger for Deschamps’ team, shortly after Gündogan had to be substituted due to injury following a nasty fall.
France finished the first half better but without the reward of a goal. Ter Stegen demonstrated this with a great save against Tchouaméni, while just before Germany’s second goal, he prevented the equalizer in Griezmann’s boots. And so, amid French desperation, Sané’s goal came after taking advantage of a poor pass from their opponent (85′).
France dreamed of the possibility of a comeback when Sané committed a foolish penalty on Camavinga, and this time Griezmann beat Ter Stegen (89′). However, the goal came too late, and there was no time for more.
ALEMANI — 2 / FRANCIA — 1
