News (engl.)

The Germany national side succeeded in recording a second win in their World Cup qualification campaign last night. In Sinsheim, head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s side sent out a clear signal with a convincing 4-0 victory against Luxembourg. David Raum opened the scoring in the 12th minute with his first goal at international level, before Joshua Kimmich doubled the lead from the spot after a handball from the visitors (21’). After the break, a Serge Gnabry goal (48’) and a second from Kimmich sealed the win at home for Germany (50’).

Nagelsmann once again set out his team with Oliver Baumann between the sticks, and the Hoffenheim shot-stopper started behind a back four of captain Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Raum. Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic began the game in the double pivot, behind an attacking trio of Karim Adeyemi, Florian Wirtz and Gnabry. Nick Woltemade led the line for the side in their first qualifying game of the October international break.

Germany started the match with an abundance of energy and intensity, with Kimmich testing the keeper Anthony Moris with a long-range effort after just four minutes played. Shortly after, the stadium erupted into cheers for the first time of the night, only for Gnabry’s goal to be disallowed because of a handball in the build up from Woltemade. It only took a few minutes, though, for the crowd to be back on their feet as Raum tucked away a stunning free-kick from a central position, with the curved effort grazing inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net to make it 1-0. 

Kimmich follows up Raum’s free kick with a goal from the spot

It wasn’t long before Germany doubled their lead. Gnabry took the ball past Dirk Carlson in the Luxembourg box, who clearly handled the ball with his upper arm and subsequently saw a straight red card from referee Nenad Minakovic (21’). Captain Kimmich coolly converted the penalty to put his team two goals up in Sinsheim. Gnabry came close to adding a third moments later, but only succeeded in hitting the outside of the net with a powerful effort (24’).

Nagelsmann’s side refused to let up after their second of the night, looking dangerous in the final third on multiple occasions soon after, although the visitors managed to avoid conceding for a time. In the 32nd minute, Woltemade had a golden chance to make it 3-0, but his shot was blocked and the rebound was fired into the side netting by Raum. 

The German press remained incredibly high, and Luxembourg looked almost powerless when attempting to get out of their own half. Kimmich and co. just lacked the precision needed to get the final ball right or beat the keeper, although the captain did attempt to put his second past Moris with an attempt from a tight angle, missing only narrowly before the whistle blew for half time (45' +2).

Gnabry with a spectacular finish, Kimmich gets his brace

Waldemar Anton replaced Nico Schlotterbeck in central defence for the second 45, but Germany’s momentum didn’t diminish one bit after they strode out for the second half. They continued to pen a 10-man Luxembourg into their own half. It wasn’t long before the pressure was simply too much for the visitors to handle, as Gnabry burst impressively into the box before firing right into the top corner to make it 3-0 in the 48th minute.

Germany kept the attacking intensity going with one attempt coming rapidly after another, and Kimmich managed to double his tally for the night after one of a series of dangerous crosses into the Luxembourg box. In the 61st minute, Nagelsmann made another set of changes, with Jonathan Burkardt and returnee to the national side Ridle Baku replacing Woltemade and Adeyemi (61’). The two substitutes almost had the chance to join in with celebrations for another Germany goal, although Florian Wirtz’s free-kick effort only managed to hit the outside of the post and bounce out for a goal kick. Shortly after, goalscorer Gnabry made way for Maximilian Beier (68’).

Germany continued to look a level above their opponents for the rest of the match, although slowed the game down for the final phase of play and didn’t manage to create too many more chances on the night. After 82 minutes, Nathaniel Brown was able to celebrate his debut for the national team, replacing Raum in the backline. Wirtz tried once again to get his name on the scoresheet, missing only narrowly after 86 minutes.