Image Courtesy: The Indian Express
France defeated Germany 1-0 in their opening Euro 2020 Group F match on Tuesday, thanks to an own goal by Mats Hummels, as the sluggish-looking hosts lost their first match at the European Championship for the first time.
In the 20th minute, midfielder Paul Pogba’s beautiful raking pass was sent back across the goal by Lucas Hernandez, and defender Mats Hummels shanked the ball into his own net while attempting to clear.
France deservedly won, and they also hit the crossbar, while the Germans must now step up their game against holders Portugal on Saturday when France takes on Hungary.
Germany’s record 50th Euro match got off to a shaky start before Pogba and Kylian Mbappe squandered several French chances.
When Pogba picked up Hernandez with a fantastic cross-field pass, the visitor’s progressive pressure, deploying their speed down the wings, paid off.
He surged through and clipped the ball past his goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with Hummels, who had been dropped for more than two years but was recalled for the tournament.
The Germans, keen to make apologies for their shock 2018 World Cup first-round exit in front of a home audience, barely broke past the French defense.
When they did, it was generally through the left flank, where one of Robin Gosen’s crosses found Ilkay Gundogan, whose mis-hit shot went wide of the post.
In the 52nd minute, France almost scored again when Adrien Rabiot cut in from the left, but he hit the post with Neuer already going in the opposite direction.
That seemed to jolt the hosts into action, and they created three successive chances, with Gosens once again in the mix, until an injury to Benjamin Pavard around the hour mark gave the French some much-needed breathing space.
France progressively lost control, but remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Mbappe and Karim Benzema both scoring but being called offside. In the 78th minute, Mbappe was denied what appeared to be a likely penalty after outsprinting Hummels to chase down a long pass.
France, who are now unbeaten in their previous 17 competitive appearances, held their composure until the final whistle to begin their Euro journey with a morale-boosting victory, moving into second place in Group F behind holders Portugal, who defeated Hungary 3-0 earlier on Tuesday.