Qualification for the World Cup: Individual scrutiny of the country's national football team
In a thrilling international friendly, Germany showcased an array of performances, with some standout moments and a few areas for improvement.
The first half was marked by a controversial decision as Raum's goal was disallowed due to offside. Despite this setback, the team maintained their spirits, with Kimmich playing many opening passes and demonstrating his enthusiasm.
In the second half, the game took a turn for the better when Amiri, a Dortmund player, entered the fray. He scored his debut goal, a moment that was celebrated euphorically by his teammates and the fans. His entry into the game seemed to bring a newfound momentum.
Anton, a central defender, struggled for stability throughout the match, while Leweling performed well on the right wing, a position that could potentially be Nagelsmann's preferred choice for him.
Gnabry, who scored his first national team goal in two and a half years, initially brought calm and order to the game, but a mistake from him led to the equalizer. However, he quickly regrouped and continued to contribute positively to the team's efforts.
The decisive goal of the match came in the 75th minute, when Cvetkovic scored after an opponent failed to clear a corner properly. Amane capitalised on the opportunity, shooting towards goal, and Cvetkovic redirected the ball with his foot to score the winning goal.
Beier, a super sub, also scored a crucial goal, securing a reassuring 3:1 for Germany. Wirtz's initial dribbles were nice but not extraordinary, while Woltemade's body language and connection to the game improved significantly.
Goretzka was allowed to play more defensively upon his substitution, a strategy that seemed to pay off as he helped stabilise the team. Baumann, the goalkeeper, was unheard by his teammates for a long time during the match, an area that needs improvement.
Koch could not build on his good form from June in the national team, while Rüdiger made many mistakes and was suspended after receiving two yellow cards. Kimmich's leadership will be crucial towards the World Cup, as the team looks to bounce back from this friendly and continue their preparations.
Overall, it was a game filled with highs and lows, but the team showed resilience and determination, bouncing back from setbacks to secure a victory. With the World Cup just around the corner, the team will look to build on this performance and continue to improve ahead of the tournament.
