Nations League: Germany suddenly won the group after beating Ukraine

The German national football team won a home game in the Nations League for the first time. In the 3: 1 (2: 1) against Ukraine Leroy Sané drew (23rd minute), Timo Werner first in the lead (33rd) and then the final score (64th). Roman Yaremchuck had led Ukraine in the lead (12th).

As Spain failed to overcome a draw in the parallel match against Switzerland, Germany are suddenly first in the group after three draws in the first three matches. In the last group match against Spain on Tuesday (20:45, live ticker SPIEGEL.de), another draw is enough for a place in the playoffs.

The match was preceded by enthusiasm for crown cases among Ukrainians. Four players and the manager tested positive on Friday. Meanwhile, the game was about to be canceled. After another series of negative team tests, the DFB announced on Saturday afternoon that the match would take place.

The bankruptcies didn’t have a negative impact on Ukraine, at least it didn’t seem that way. After an involuntary one-two in the German penalty area between Oleksandr Zubkov and Robin Koch, Yaremchuk hit the right corner from close range (12th).

Germany becomes dangerous only sporadically

Germany only became dangerous sporadically. And if so, then almost exclusively through Leon Goretzka’s advances. After winning the ball in midfield, the Bayern player led the match in the opponent’s half. There he fits into Sané’s run, who put the ball in the penalty area from right to left and hit the left flat on goal (23).

The second German shot was preceded by a Robin Koch lob on the Ukrainian defensive chain; Goretzka artistically took the ball in the air and forcefully brought it to the center. Werner just had to keep his head out (33rd).

In the second half, Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko hit the post with a deflected shot for Ukraine (52nd), before Werner pushed forward on a cross from full-back forward Matthias Ginter (64th). After that, Ukraine became dangerous again, but coach Andriy Shevchenko’s team had bad luck: Marlos missed with a kick from the right edge of the area on the post (75th), as did Júnior Moraes, whose shot was been deflected by Koch (82 °).