Even not being sent off does not upset the German soccer players. Against the supposed EM favorites, the DFB-Elf proves efficiency. While Spain dominates possession, the German team consistently punishes mistakes - and is early in the quarter-finals.
With a turbo goal and merciless efficiency, the German footballers stormed into the quarter-finals of the European Championship as group winners. Four days after the dream start against Denmark (4-0), the eight-time title holder won 2-0 (2-0) against co-favorites Spain thanks to another impressive team effort. Klara Bühl (3rd) after 138 seconds and captain Alexandra Popp (37th) scored for the team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who can save energy on Saturday in the meaningless preliminary round against the already eliminated Finland. Germany remained undefeated in the seventh duel with Spain.
"We were prepared not to have the ball so much," said Popp in the Lea-Schüller jersey on ARD: "We didn't really allow anything at the back and were very efficient up front. The win was for you too, Lea! " Victory in Group B sees the Germans avoid strong hosts England in the quarter-finals and meet second-placed in Group A on July 21 - Austria at the moment.
In front of 16,037 spectators at London's Brentford Community Stadium, Popp led the German Football Association (DFB) squad onto the pitch. The 31-year-old, who, like against Denmark, was actually planned as a noble joker after a knee injury and corona infection, replaced Schüller. The Bundesliga top scorer, who scored in the first game, was slowed down by the corona virus. Midfielder Sydney Lohmann was absent with a knee problem.
The change in personnel from Schüller to the internationally experienced Popp should unsettle the Spaniards. "The ulterior motive is that we want to trigger something in the opponent with Alex," said Voss-Tecklenburg shortly before kick-off on ARD. Under the eyes of DFB managing director Oliver Bierhoff, the national coach's plan worked perfectly. Bühl used a drop-out by Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Panos to give the two-time world champion and 2016 Olympic champion an early lead.
After the goal, the Germans, who were not counted among the top favorites before the final round after two disappointing tournaments (quarter-finals at the World Cup and European Championship), were primarily waiting for a counterattack. This tactic almost backfired, but Lucia Garcia was unable to take advantage of the great opportunity to equalize (10').
In the minutes that followed, the Spaniards, who had clearly won against Finland at the start (4-1) even without their injured world footballer Alexia Putellas and the missing record goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso, kept up the pressure. Mariona Caldentey just missed (18th).
In the middle of the first half too little came from the Germans on the offensive. Spain dominated, the equalizer was in the air. Instead, Popp headed in her 55th international goal from a corner by Felicitas Rauch, who was suspended against Finland - it was the second ball that came on the Spanish goal.
At the beginning of the second round, Lena Lattwein replaced the injured Lina Magull. That didn't change the risky strategy of largely leaving the ball to the Spaniards. The tricky situations in the German penalty area increased again.
In the 57th minute, the Germans rightly called for a red card for Spanish defender Irene Paredes, who had held Popp's jersey on the way to goal. But neither the French referee Stephanie Frappart nor the video assistant intervened. Shortly thereafter it was over for Popp, who was replaced by Tabea Wassmuth (62nd).
Nine minutes later goalkeeper Merle Frohms saved with an outstanding save against Caldentey. The supposed 3:0 by Waßmuth (81st) was not recognized because it was clearly offside. Shortly before the end, Lena Oberdorf received a yellow card and is also suspended against Finland.
