News (engl.)

Germany U21s came through their penultimate European Championship qualifier with another victory to maintain top spot in Group F. Antonio Di Salvo’s side beat hosts Malta 4-1 in Attard, having led 2-1 at the break. Basil Tuma gave Malta a surprise lead (9’), but captain Nicolò Tresoldi levelled almost immediately (11’) before Tom Rothe put Germany ahead (32’). Tresoldi then struck twice more after the break (47’, 69’) to complete his hat-trick.

The first chance arrived in the sixth minute, when Dzenan Pejcinovic tested goalkeeper Liam Frendo from the edge of the box. It was Malta who took the lead, however, as Tuma pounced on a German error and found himself clean through against debutant Max Weiß before finding the back of the net. Germany responded straight away. Leandro Morgalla hit the post and Tresoldi was on hand to turn the rebound into the empty net.

Germany dominated possession but initially struggled to find a way through Malta’s packed defence. The second goal eventually arrived just after the half-hour mark. The hosts failed to deal with the ball in their own box and Rothe took advantage, heading home from close range. Despite having more than 70% possession and 13 shots to Malta’s one, Germany went into the break only 2-1 ahead.

Tresoldi adds to his tally

That soon changed after the restart, with Tresoldi heading home a corner from close range. Pejcinovic almost added a fourth two minutes later, sending a long-range effort narrowly wide (49’). Germany carried a much greater threat in the second half, with Pejcinovic going close again when his header flashed just wide (58’).

Wael Mohya came on for his Germany U21 debut in the 64th minute, joining Max Weiß and Noahkai Banks in making their first appearances at this level after the latter pair had both started. Tresoldi completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, rifling a free kick from the edge of the box into the top corner.

Paris Brunner went close to making it five, first firing narrowly wide from an angle (75’) before sending a header past the post late on (88’).