EM 2021: Germany Suffer Humiliating First-Round Defeat To France

EM 2021: Germany suffer humiliating first-round defeat to France

At the commencement of the 2021 European Championship, Germany will have to suffer a close defeat to world champions France. Mats Hummels’ own goal decides.

Well kept up, but too harmless and clumsy: thanks to an own goal by unlucky fellow Mats Hummels, the German national team started the last tournament under national coach Joachim Löw with the first defeat at a European Championship finals.

Three years after the disaster at the World Cup in Russia, the next sporting low blow threatens after a 0: 1 (0: 1) against a ripped off world champion France.

The DFB team played enthusiastically, many things went well, but a really structured offensive game was not part of it, apart from a promising urge phase in the second half, despite the efforts of returnees Thomas Müller.

The three-time European champion is already under pressure before the second group game on Saturday (6 p.m. / ARD and MagentaTV) in Munich: the opponent is then Portugal. The European champions clearly defeated group outsiders Hungary 3-0.

In front of the future national coach Hansi Flick, Germany fell behind through its own fault (20th). The unfortunate Hummels underwent the second German own goal in a major tournament.

At the 2014 World Cup, the defender was still the big hero with his winning goal in the quarter-finals against France (1-0).

Germany vs. France: Rabiot fails on the post

Now light and shadow alternated with the returnee, who had to watch helplessly when Adrien Rabiot only hit the post (52nd).

But he prevented a goal by Kylian Mbappe (77th) with a great tackle, who were denied two hits because of offside.

After conceding the goal, the DFB-Elf was visually superior to the pragmatically waiting French, but chances to equalize were only sparse.

The best was initially owned by Serge Gnabry (54th), whose shot flew over the gate from close range.

Müller previously had a chance to head the ball (22nd), but otherwise wore himself out.

Champions League hero Kai Havertz, who had been given preference over Leroy Sane, was usually overwhelmed against the robust French.

kai-havertz-germany-france

In the past few days, the German camp had put up a facade out of sheer self-confidence.

Calm and extremely focused – that was the clear message to the French, who should better put on good shin guards: “We have to be disgusting.

Not always just nice, dear, dear,” demanded Antonio Rüdiger for dealing with the world storm from Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema.

Shortly before kick-off, a paraglider with a motor on his back landed on the field – a little later Joshua Kimmich was a bit too disgusting with club colleague Lucas Hernandez and saw yellow (7th).

And then, after a quarter of an hour, the French warmed up. In particular, the allusions to Mbappe were now more precise. The attacker promptly checked Manuel Neuer for the first time (17th).

Hummels with the first German tournament own goal since 1978

Three minutes later, all the good defensive resolutions were just wasted: Kimmich misjudged the advanced Hernandez with a long ball from Paul Pogba – Hummels’s cross was unsustainable for Neuer in his own goal.

Berti Vogts was the only German so far in a major tournament to suffer such a mishap at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina: in a 2: 3 against Austria.

The French played this into their cards, now they could play like they had become world champions: wait for the ball to be lost, then quickly switch.

They did this with the confidence that the Germans had tried to convince themselves. However: The DFB-Elf held up well, condensed the center, was poisonous in the duels – only: Little or nothing went forward, there was a lack of ideas and power.

The German team, in which Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan knew how to please as double six, really did not have to be blamed for a lack of commitment and will.

He had a lot more possession, more shots, more passes, and more mileage. The result was: nothing – not even in a strong phase after the 55th minute when France actually wobbled a little.