Germany defeated France 2-0 with Florian Wirtz scoring the opening goal in less than seven seconds, securing a crucial victory for Julian Nagelsmann’s team.
Florian Wirtz’s sensational goal in just eight seconds stunned France and propelled Germany to a well-deserved 2-0 victory in Lyon.
The German team, led by Julian Nagelsmann, had been struggling with three winless games prior to this friendly clash at the Groupama Stadium. However, any early jitters were quickly dispelled as their young prodigy, Wirtz, unleashed a powerful right-footed strike before France even had a chance to touch the ball.
Die Mannschaft’s lead was further extended four minutes into the second half, courtesy of Kai Havertz. The Arsenal forward expertly finished off a brilliant combination play between Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, with Musiala’s exquisite control and pass setting up Havertz to calmly slot the ball into an empty net.
Didier Deschamps’ French side, usually known for their dynamism, appeared unusually lackluster, with their star player Kylian Mbappe failing to make an impact. However, they gradually found their rhythm towards the end of the first half, with Mbappe squandering two half-chances and Jules Kounde testing German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a powerful shot.
Ousmane Dembele, the standout performer for the lackluster French team, came close to scoring on 57 minutes with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target. Debutant left-back Max Mittelstadt also came agonizingly close to a dream goal, but his strike was denied by the fingertips of goalkeeper Brice Samba in the dying moments of the game.
Samba, the former Nottingham Forest shot-stopper, also made impressive saves to deny Thomas Muller and Deniz Undav’s late attempts on goal in the 82nd minute.