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Jule Brand (left) in a duel with Emilija Petrovic
Photo: NOVAK DJUROVIC / REUTERS
The German footballers missed early qualification for the 2023 World Cup after a 2: 3 (0: 1) in Serbia.
Two games before the end of qualifying, the DFB women are only three points ahead of Serbia.
Only the group winner qualifies directly for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
After the 3:0 (1:0) against Portugal, the German women needed a win in Serbia to be sure to take part in the World Cup next year.
But like in the first leg, when they were 1-0 down after 45 minutes, coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's players struggled enormously at the start.
With five new players in the starting XI, order was initially lacking, and the hosts made two dangerous moves in the penalty area in the first two minutes of the game.
The Serbs were also the more dangerous team in the period that followed: Tijana Filipović's shot had to be cleared by Alexandra Popp, who had returned to the national team (21st minute).
At the other end, Giulia Gwinn hit the outside of the post (27').
Poljak hits and misses the 2-0
Allegra Poljak scored the opening goal for Serbia.
The 23-year-old attacker from Real Sociedad converted a cross from the right wing.
DFB goalkeeper Merle Frohms had no chance against Poljak's header from five yards (36').
Germany almost immediately equalized through Lina Magull, but her shot hit the crossbar (38').
Shortly before the break, Poljak hit the inside post after a lapse in the German defense (45th) - the 0:1 at half-time was flattering from a German point of view.
Schüller's goal came too late
The hosts also got off to a better start in the second half: Jovana Damnjanović from FC Bayern Munich prevailed after a wide kick from the Serbian goalkeeper and overcame Frohms (49').
The German answer after an hour: Dzsenifer Marozsán, who came into the team at half-time, crossed from the right wing and Lea Schüller headed in (60th).
The German selection was now better, but Serbia remained dangerous: Damnjanović used one of her offensive moves again, tipping the ball past Frohms into the goal (70').
Tabea Waßmuth was only able to score the goal in injury time (90+2).
It stayed at 3:2 for the strong Serbs, who have never been able to qualify for a World Cup, European Championship or Olympic Games.
Decision will be made in autumn
Germany will be playing away from home twice more in the World Cup qualifiers: on September 3 they will go to Turkey and three days later they will visit Bulgaria.
Even if you were second in the group, you would still have the chance to qualify via the playoffs.
The finals of the 9th FIFA Women's World Cup are scheduled to take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
The European Championships will be held in England from July 6th to 31st this summer.
Germany meets Spain, Denmark and Finland in Group B there.
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