Qualifying match for the European Championship against Poland. - DFB women triumph, but Popp's tenure comes to an end.
What's happening here?
Alexandra Popp gets subbed out at halftime!
National coach Horst Hrubesch (73) stepped in during the break and made some stern decisions. He substituted team captain Alexandra Popp (33) after the first half, an uncommon move. Popp was reportedly not tired; the reason was tactical.
The German women's team played aggressively and recklessly in front of 18,765 fans in Rostock. Poland scored the first goal within a minute thanks to Padilla-Bidas, giving them a 1:0 lead. Germany had control of the game, but Poland continued to be a threat. Former Wolfsburg player Ewa Pajor (who's on her way to Barcelona for €500,000) could have made it 2:0.
Germany's pressure mounted, and they were eventually rewarded with an own goal by Zieniewicz after a corner in the 34th minute, making it 1:1. Hrubesch then made three substitutions at the break, including replacing Popp. This was an uncommon occurrence.
In the second half, Germany kept running while Poland remained dangerous with counterattacks. However, Germany managed to secure the win with a counterattack of their own. Lea Schüller scored the 2:1 in the 77th minute, and Giulia Gwinn added two more goals in the 84th and 88th minute.
In the end, Germany came out on top, winning 3:2.
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