Struggling Germany returned to winning ways on Tuesday, after goals from Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane helped them beat France 2-1 in Dortmund.
Two days after the dismissal of head coach Hansi Flick and the appointment of caretaker Rudi Voller, Germany made a fairy-tale start, as Muller benefitted from Benjamin Henrich’s pinpoint cross to slot home past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan in the fourth minute.
France needed some time to gain a foothold into the encounter and came close on the half-hour mark when Randal Kolo Muani pulled over from a promising position.
Les Bleus increased the pressure as the match progressed, as Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen tipped Aurelien Tchouameni’s header over the bar in the 38th minute, before Theo Hernandez shot wide from inside the box five minutes later.
France assumed control after the restart but still couldn’t do much damage, as Ter Stegen was equal to Tchouameni’s attempt from distance in the 57th minute.
Germany defended well and kept the visitors at bay, while Didier Deschamps’ men lacked in accuracy in the final third.
France almost shocked Germany in 82nd minute when Antoine Griezmann’s long-range effort forced Ter Stegen into a diving save, but Germany doubled their lead against the run of play five minutes later, as Leroy Sane latched onto Kai Havertz’s pass to score from a tight angle in the 87th minute.
France eventually found the back of the net in the closing stages, as Sane fouled Eduardo Camavinga inside the area, allowing Griezmann to step up and convert the resultant penalty, but there was no time for France to force an equalizer.
« We opened the scoring and played very well in the opening period. Big compliments to the caretaker [coaches] Rudi Voller, Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner. We still have a lot of work ahead and we shouldn’t overrate today’s victory over France, » said Muller afterwards.
