Status: 27.10.2023, 20:34 PM
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Germany's Lea Schüller heads past Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark to make it 1-0. ©
On the comeback of Horst Hrubesch as interim national coach, the German footballers celebrate a clear victory against Wales in the Nations League. Popp substitute Schüller scored two header goals.
Sinsheim - The German footballers applauded with satisfaction, and interim national coach Horst Hrubesch was smiling after his successful comeback. After days of whirlwind surrounding head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who is taking a break, the DFB selection has kept their chance of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics alive with a must-win in the Nations League. Germany won 5-1 (1-1) against Wales in Sinsheim on Friday evening.
"We played well in the first half, the only thing we didn't do were the goals," Hrubesch, who has taken over the German women's soccer team for the second time, said on ARD. "Of course, this result will help the girls now."
Lea Schüller (25th and 47th minute), Giulia Gwinn (80th/penalty), Sjoeke Nüsken (86th) and substitute Nicole Anyomi (88th) scored for Germany. In front of 20,107 fans at the Sinsheim Arena, Ceri Holland (42nd) equalised to make it 1-1.
"The shortcoming in the first half was the conversion of chances," said Svenja Huth. "I think we played with a lot of enthusiasm and rewarded ourselves with five goals. Next Tuesday, the next game of the Hrubesch selection will follow in Iceland. "Nobody gets anything for free," Hrubesch said.
The interim boss had called for more speed in advance, less contact in the game with the ball - and the players followed. Although captain Alexandra Popp was missing in the centre of the attack, the DFB team created some promising chances even without the 32-year-old Wolfsburger. Striker Schüller then showed in the 25th minute that she has also mastered Popp's parade discipline: scoring goals with her head. After a good cross from Hoffenheim's Sarai Linder, Schüller converted for the overdue lead.
In addition to the 25-year-old FC Bayern striker, Hrubesch had four other players in the starting eleven compared to the most recent performance against Iceland (4-0). Ann-Kathrin Berger replaced regular goalkeeper Merle Frohms (concussion), Svenja Huth, who replaced Popp as captain, sprinted over her usual right side again. In central midfield, Sara Däbritz and Laura Freigang were allowed to play.
Frankfurt's Freigang - rarely used under Voss-Tecklenburg - should have added the second goal shortly before the break when she appeared alone in front of Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark. Clark, by far the best player of the guests, showed a great foot reflex.
Instead of 2-0, it was suddenly 1-1. Linder crossed Wales' Angharad James, Gwinn came too late against Holland in the middle. Wales' first shot on target of the game was also the first goal ever in a clash with Germany, who had dominated the previous four matches with an aggregate goal difference of 34-0.
Hrubesch reacted to the equaliser, which was acknowledged with delicate whistles, with a double substitution at half-time: Freigang and Däbritz made way for Nüsken and Linda Dallmann. Dallmann crossed to Schüller - 2:1. The move, this time on the right instead of the left, looked like a carbon copy of the 1-0. It was Schüller's 53th goal in his 35rd international appearance.
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The renewed lead gave the DFB team security. Again and again it went towards the visitors' goal, only the redeeming third goal did not want to fall at first. Either Clark stood in the way or his own ineptitude. Only a penalty kick for a foul on defensive boss Marina Hegering made the decision. Gwinn scored to make it 3-1. Hrubesch was able to breathe a sigh of relief, as the DFB team played down the final minutes - and scored twice more. Dpa