The European Championship is over for the DFB-Elf. In the round of 16 at Wembley, host England went into bitter bankruptcy. The Joachim Löw era also ended with the EM-Out.
The game-deciding scene is only slowly emerging: In the 75th minute of the European Championship round of 16 between England and Germany the “Three Lions” make a deliberate, calm attack. The situation seems almost harmless when the ball lands at left-back Luke Shaw. The professional of Manchester United brings the ball on the flank unrestricted into the six-yard area, where Raheem Sterling prevailed against the German central defense and pushed in to 1-0. Only ten minutes later, Harry Kane closes the sack after another cross, this time by substitute Jack Grealish. Germany is defeated. The final result of 2-0 for England is sealed. The era of national coach Joachim Löw ends with a bitter bankruptcy.
It could have turned out differently after the 1-0 by Sterling. But Thomas MüllerAfter a world-class pass from Kai Havertz, who was already in a difficult position against England, who was standing compactly, he pushed the ball just inches past the left post in front of Pickford. After that, Germany’s will is finally broken.
Stunned: Thomas Müller after his missed opportunity. (Source: Frank Augstein / Reuters)
This is how the European Championship round of 16 between England and Germany went:
The first goal of the game in London’s Wembley Stadium, which was filled with 40,000 spectators, was the DFB– Record eleven. Leon GoretzkaHowever, s shot was too central – no problem for England’s number one, Jordan Pickford (4th minute).
Even after that, it was Bayern’s Goretzka who set the pace for Germany. In the eighth minute he fueled his way through England’s center, bursting with self-confidence, and could only be stopped by Declan Rice with a foul on the edge of the penalty area. The subsequent promising free kick by Havertz landed in the English wall.
As a result, Germany made too little of its dominant initial phase. Especially Gosens and Havertz, who dropped to the ten position, tore the game to themselves, England meanwhile started only cautiously and waited for mistakes in the German passing game. This passivity was acknowledged early on by the home fans with whistles.
Trippier and Saka made problems for the DFB-Elf
The “Three Lions” became dangerous for the first time in the 16th minute when Sterling Neuer forced a strong save with a flick from outside the sixteenth.
As the season progressed, England’s offensive made Germany more and more problems, especially when right-wingers Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka demanded Antonio Rudiger and Gosens in defense.
If England did not play the game over the wings, it was Kalvin Phillips, who tried to put Harry Kane in the limelight with long balls – in vain. Mats Hummels took England’s captain almost under cover and gave him no room to develop.
A great achievement by Hummels
Shortly before the end of the first half, Kane had a chance to score. And again it was Hummels who was there and with a sensational tackle the opportunity to push the ball past Neuer into the goal was destroyed.
The second half was less than three minutes old when the conspicuous Havertz was able to utilize a ricochet after an aerial duel with a technically fine shot. Pickford was there again.
Instead of seeing Havertz’s graduation as a wake-up call, Germany withdrew further and further and gave England space and time for its control-oriented game. In the end, it was precisely this space and this time that led to both English goals and thus to the German European Championship.
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