Three things we learned from England v Germany at Euro 2020

London (AFP) – England beat Germany on Tuesday for the first time in a knockout match since the 1966 World Cup final to reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.

AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the Wembley clash, which the home side won 2-0.

– Sterling the main man as Kane gets off mark –

Raheem Sterling was England’s only goalscorer in the Euro 2020 group phase, putting captain Harry Kane in the shade.

He was again the main threat for Gareth Southgate’s side as they probed for an opening against Germany, looking to run at the defence at every opportunity.

He eventually got the breakthrough his play deserved, turning home Luke Shaw’s cross to send the Wembley crowd wild.

Sterling struggled to hold down a first-team spot at Manchester City towards the end of the season but again proved his worth for England when it mattered, with his third goal of the tournament.

Kane has been flat since the start of Euro 2020 following a fine season for Tottenham as goalscorer and provider and again looked out of sorts against Germany.

But he pounced four minutes from time to seal the win for England, stooping to head home Jack Grealish’s cross.

Kane has now scored 30 goals for England under Southgate — in the national side’s history, only Gary Lineker scored more under a single manager, with 35 under Bobby Robson.

– Pickford delivers –

Jordan Pickford has not been especially busy at Euro 2020 behind an England defence that has been watertight so far but when called upon he has delivered the goods.

The Everton goalkeeper was one of England’s heroes during an unexpected run to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

England’s number one, who has made a number of high-profile errors at club level in recent years, divides opinion among fans but he has repaid Southgate’s faith in him.

Pickford was forced into his first meaningful save just after the half-hour at Wembley, smothering a Timo Werner shot at close range and making another fine stop as he tipped a Kai Havertz pile-driver over his crossbar early in the second half.

– Toothless Germany –

Germany’s performance against England was summed up by one moment late in the game when Thomas Mueller was through on goal with a chance to equalise.

But the Bayern Munich man dragged it wide to the immense relief of the crowd of 40,000 fans inside Wembley.

The visitors had started well, putting early pressure on England, with Werner and Havertz looking dangerous against a side struggling to adjust to a new formation.

But as the match wore on Joachim Loew’s men ran out of ideas and despite the late, clear chance for Mueller, they rarely looked like scoring.

For Germany manager Loew, it was a disappointing end to his reign, which hit its high point when Germany won the 2014 World Cup.

The defeat also raises searching questions for Germany as they ponder a new direction under incoming coach Hansi Flick.

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From Brazil highs to lows in Russia, Germany’s ‘eternal’ coach Loew bows out

Berlin (AFP) – Joachim Loew led Germany to the high of their 2014 World Cup triumph, but his 15-year reign as coach ended Tuesday with the low of a rare defeat to England in the last 16 of Euro 2020.

Having scraped through their group with a 2-2 draw against Hungary, Germany bow out with a 2-0 defeat at Wembley, their first loss against England in the knockout stages of a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup final.

It was a sad end for the 61-year-old, known as “Jogi” by his peers and who had been at Germany’s helm since 2006.

The high point of his tenure was the victory in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil but he never really recovered from the low of the World Cup in Russia three years later, when Germany finished bottom of their group.

Getting out of their European Championship group was the bare minimum expected of Loew’s Germany, who bounced back from defeat to France in their opening game with a 4-2 win over holders Portugal before that nerve-shredding draw with Hungary.

His run as national head coach rivals Angela Merkel’s 16 years in office as Chancellor, earning him the nickname of Germany’s “eternal coach”.

However, he walks away with his once-golden reputation tarnished by a succession of defeats which started with the disastrous World Cup campaign in Russia three years ago when Germany were beaten by Mexico and South Korea.

It was further damaged by a 6-0 thrashing by Spain last November — the German team’s heaviest defeat since 1931 — and a shock home defeat to minnows North Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier in March.

Calls for Loew to step aside were already loud after the debacle in Russia, but he insisted he would stay on to make amends at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

However with his confidence rattled, Loew announced in early March that Euro 2020 would be his last tournament.

His replacement, his one-time assistant coach Hansi Flick who masterminded Bayern Munich’s treble-winning season in 2019/20, takes charge in time for September’s World Cup qualifiers.

– Icon –

Loew, a former centre-forward who played most of his football in Germany’s second division, arrived at the national team as assistant coach to Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004.

After taking the reins as head coach in 2006, he led the team to the final of Euro 2008 and then the semi-finals of both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

He won the ultimate prize in Brazil, a 1-0 win against Argentina in the final earning Germany the 2014 World Cup after a thrilling campaign in which they also trounced the host nation 7-1 in the semi-finals.

Under Loew, Germany ditched their reputation for defence-minded football and began to play a faster tempo.

The coach himself became an icon in Germany and began appearing in advertisements, peddling skin-care products for Nivea to holidays with Tui.

Behind his unassuming exterior, Loew, who was trained as a wholesale trader, harboured high ambitions of a place in the history books.

Just after lifting the World Cup, he voiced his wish to be Germany’s first coach to also win the European Championship straight after a global crown.

After hosts France knocked out Germany at the semi-final stage of Euro 2016, Loew set himself the challenge of winning consecutive World Cups.

Yet things slowly began to unravel, then plunged irreversibly during the 2018 Russian campaign.

While the German Football Association (DFB) repeatedly held off from sacking him, Loew had already lost his allure. 

After a difficult autumn that was topped off by a Nations League thrashing against Spain, a poll at the end of November found that 84 percent of Germany fans wanted Loew to go.

German media were also increasingly vocal in their criticism of the coach.

The main charge against him has been his stubborn refusal to change tactics despite poor results.

Nevertheless, his record of 124 wins in 198 matches as Germany’s head coach is a tally in the record books which will likely stand for quite some time.

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England reach Euro 2020 quarters to end Germany curse

London (AFP) – Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane fired England into the Euro 2020 quarter-finals as they sealed a 2-0 win against Germany that ended decades of hurt at the hands of their bitter rivals on Tuesday.

Sterling struck with 15 minutes left in a tense last 16 tie at Wembley before Kane clinched England’s first knockout stage victory over Germany since 1966.

In the 55 years since England beat the Germans in the World Cup final, the Three Lions had endured a painful litany of defeats against Die Mannschaft when the stakes were highest.

England were eliminated from the 1970, 1990 and 2010 World Cups by Germany, who also beat them in the Euro 96 semi-finals at Wembley.

But Gareth Southgate’s side have finally exorcised the ghosts of Paul Gascoigne’s tears and their own manager’s penalty miss 25 years ago.

England produced a gritty display capped by clinical finishes from Sterling, who now has three goals in the tournament, and Kane — who finally bagged his first of the competition.

England, yet to concede a goal in the tournament, head to Rome on Saturday for a quarter-final against the winners of Tuesday’s other last 16 tie between Sweden and Ukraine.

Chasing a first major international trophy since 1966, England’s side of the draw looks wide open, with a potential semi-final against Denmark or the Czech Republic unlikely to strike fear into their hearts.

It was only England’s second knockout stage win in the history of the European Championship and their first victory over Germany at Wembley since 1975.

For Germany manager Joachim Loew, it was an agonising end to his reign as he prepares to step down after the tournament.

Always keen to deflect attention, Southgate will have relished his moment of redemption, especially since his decision to switch to a three-man defence to match up with the German formation paid off.

With the vast majority of the 40,000 crowd supporting England, the players walked out to a wall of sound that included a hostile reception for the German national anthem.

– Knockout blow –

England needed a tone-setting moment to ease their visible anxiety early on and Sterling provided it as he drove forward for a 25-yard blast that forced a fine save from Manuel Neuer.

With Harry Maguire winning a series of thunderous headers and tackles and Bukayo Saka probing intelligently on the right flank, England gradually took control.

However, Germany almost snatched the lead as Kai Havertz played an inch-perfect pass to Timo Werner inside the England area.

But Werner endured a dismal first season in front of goal for Chelsea and once again he was unable to produce a precise finish as he shot straight at Jordan Pickford.

A misplaced pass from Thomas Mueller sent Sterling scampering through the Germany defence on the stroke of half-time.

Yet when the ball ran to Kane, he was too slow to apply the finishing touch as he rounded Neuer and Mats Hummels’ tackle snuffed out the danger.

Havertz’s blistering half-volley forced a superb tip over from Pickford soon after the interval.

It was Saka who made way when Southgate made his first change, sending on Jack Grealish in a game-defining moment.

Grealish’s presence immediately brought more energy to England and in the 75th minute they finally delivered the knockout blow.

Grealish worked the ball wide to Luke Shaw and his low cross reached Sterling, who pounced with a clinical close-range finish to send Wembley into ecstasy.

Mueller should have equalised when Havertz’s pass sent him clean through, but the Bayern Munich star rolled his shot wide and fell to the turf in dismay.

Kane made Mueller pay in the 86th minute as he finished off a lethal England counter-attack with a diving header past Neuer from Grealish’s cross.

During the first day of England’s Euro camp at St George’s Park, Southgate showed his squad a motivational video featuring some of the team’s greatest victories.

Now they have added their own chapter to the list of England’s finest moments.

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Dutch coach Frank de Boer quits after Euro 2020 exit

The Hague (AFP) – Dutch coach Frank de Boer stepped down on Tuesday after the Netherlands’ dismal Euro 2020 last-16 elimination by the Czech Republic.

De Boer’s decision comes as speculation mounted over his future as manager of the Oranje following the team’s 2-0 loss in Budapest on Sunday evening.

“I have decided not to continue as national coach. The target has not been achieved, that is clear,” De Boer, 51, said in a statement released by the Dutch football federation KNVB.

De Boer said when he was appointed in 2020 it was an “honour” but he was also “aware of the pressure that would come upon me from the moment I was appointed”.

“That pressure is only increasing now, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the squad in the run-up to such an important game for Dutch football on its way to World Cup qualification.”

The KNVB said in any case, De Boer’s contract stipulated that the team should reach at least the quarter-finals, adding “the contract will not be renewed”.

“It has been decided that both parties will separate,” the KNVB added, speaking from its headquarters in Zeist near the central city of Utrecht.

De Boer’s short tenure at the helm of the once mighty Dutch football team, which won the European Championship in 1988 but has struggled in recent years, also means that he will not be in charge for the World Cup qualifier against Norway on September 1.

“Despite Frank’s hard work the team did not reach the quarter-finals. We hoped for a better Euro and the choice of Frank turned out differently than we hoped,” KNVB director Nico-Jan Hoogma said.

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Southgate gambles on back three for England’s Euro 2020 showdown with Germany

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate made a tactical gamble as he changed to a three-man defence for Tuesday’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash against Germany at Wembley.

Southgate had played with a back four in England’s three group matches, but he opted to switch his system to match up with the German formation.

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker lined up alongside John Stones and Harry Maguire in an England back three that also started their World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia three years ago.

Kieran Trippier came into the side at right wing-back, replacing Jack Grealish, while Luke Shaw started at left wing-back.

Bukayo Saka was part of England’s three-man attack with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell had been self-isolating for the last 10 days.

Mount was named among the substitutes but Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad.

Germany boss Joachim Low made three changes from the 2-2 draw with Hungary in their last group game.

Ilkay Gundogan was only fit enough for a place among the substitutes after suffering a head injury. 

Timo Werner, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Mueller came into the side, with Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry left out.

Starting line-ups:

England (3-4-3)

Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Luke Shaw; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane (capt), Raheem Sterling

Coach: Gareth Southgate (ENG)

Germany (3-4-3)

Manuel Neuer (capt); Antonio Rudiger, Matthias Ginter, Mats Hummels; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Toni Kroos, Robin Gosens; Kai Havertz, Thomas Mueller, Timo Werner

Coach: Joachim Loew (GER)

Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)

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Terzic named as technical director at Dortmund

Berlin (AFP) – Edin Terzic, the caretaker coach who steered Borussia Dortmund to Champions League qualification and lifted the German Cup last season, has been appointed technical director at the Bundesliga club for 2021/22.

The 38-year-old took over when Lucien Favre was sacked last December and guided Dortmund to finish third in the Bundesliga last season.

He had been expected to be assistant coach of Marco Rose, who takes charge at Dortmund after two years at Moenchengladbach.

Instead, Terzic has opted to take up the new role, signing a deal until 2025, which includes squad planning.

As technical director, he will work alongside sports director Michael Zorc and former captain Sebastian Kehl, who will replace Zorc for the start of the 2022/23 season.

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Clock ticks down to England v Germany after France Euro 2020 exit

London (AFP) – England can avenge decades of hurt at the hands of Germany when they face their old rivals in a blockbuster Euro 2020 last-16 clash on Tuesday as France came to terms with their shock exit.

Gareth Southgate’s side host Germany at Wembley at 1600 GMT in England’s biggest match on home turf for 25 years.

Around 40,000 fans will be in the stadium after coronavirus restrictions were eased and the atmosphere was electric in the hours before kick-off, with thousands of fans streaming towards the ground clad in replica shirts.

England beat the Germans to win the 1966 World Cup final but their major tournament history has been littered with painful exits against them since then.

The 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat on penalties is still etched in the nation’s psyche and Southgate was the Euro 96 fall guy as he missed a crucial spot kick in the semi-final shoot-out defeat.

But the England boss believes it is a chance for his players to add a memorable new chapter to their careers.

“This team, I’ve said for a long time, have had so many unique achievements and my focus is on this team and helping them to succeed,” Southgate said.

“This is about our players. This is their moment and it’s their opportunity.”

– ‘Make history’ –

Former England captain Alan Shearer said England’s young team had a chance to “make their own history”.

“We go on about this fixture because it means so much to two great footballing countries,” he told the BBC. “There’s a little more to come from this England team hopefully, they haven’t really got going yet.”

England have never won the European Championship and a victory against Germany would be only their second knockout stage win in the history of the competition.

In sharp contrast, Germany have been crowned kings of Europe three times, with the most recent success coming in 1996.

But Germany travelled to London in the unusual position of fearing defeat against England, who have been solid if spectacular so far and are yet to concede a goal.

Joachim Loew’s team stumbled into the last 16 after rescuing a 2-2 draw against Hungary in their final group game.

Germany are not the intimidating force of old and, with Loew stepping down at the end of the tournament, a defeat would signal the end of an era.

Despite winning the World Cup in 2014, Loew has been criticised for his role in a humiliating group-stage exit from the 2018 World Cup and a series of poor results before the Euros.

England will have the vast majority of the crowd on their side at Wembley and Loew expects a spine-tingling encounter.

“This is a match which electrifies everybody. For both teams, it’s in or out, it’s now or never, the loser goes home,” he said.

Under grey north London skies, throngs of supporters heading to the match congregated to belt out “Football’s Coming Home” and kick footballs around.

Germany fan Saskia Beyer, 34, who lives in Britain, said she felt outnumbered by the England fans.

“It’s definitely been a special rivalry, historically, even though the Germans have mostly won for the past 50 years,” she said. “I know the English people are keen to win.”

Nervous England fan Sam Stevenson, 27, predicted a tight 1-0 win for the home side.

“We have unfortunate memories when we play the Germans,” he said. “We need to put those negative thoughts to rest.”

The winner of the match will face a quarter-final in Rome against the winner of Tuesday’s 1900 GMT kickoff in Glasgow between Sweden and Ukraine — the last tie in the round of 16.

– France drama –

Whatever happens on Tuesday it will struggle to live up to the drama of Monday, when world champions France suffered a stunning defeat against Switzerland, losing 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Bucharest as Kylian Mbappe missed the vital kick.

“I’m sorry for the penalty. I wanted to help the team but I failed,” Mbappe said on social media.

French football federation president Noel Le Graet said Tuesday he “doesn’t think” that France’s early exit from Euro 2020 will affect manager Didier Deschamps’ future, but that he would talk with the coach.

In the quarter-finals, Switzerland will face Spain, who hit back for an epic 5-3 extra-time win against Croatia after blowing a lead in Copenhagen.

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