Match Summary

Germany Team

England Team

England's first match under the permanent stewardship of Gareth Southgate saw his side produce an excellent performance that only lacked sharper finishing and a slice of good luck.  Southgate gave a first cap to Burnley's Michael Keane and brought in Jake Livermore for only his second cap.

Right from the start England played a pressing game that caught Germany out a little as they were forced to defend, sometimes desperately, more often than they were used to.  It was a positive and confident opening spell from the visitors as they chased down the Germans when they had possession and used the ball well when England had the play.  On six minutes there was a shout for a penalty when Jamie Vardy latched on to a forward pass and then went down as the goalkeeper came out to dive at his feet.  It was one of those incidents that, had it been at the other end, then there was more likelihood of the spot-kick being given.  As it was, the referee ignored claims from the England players.

By the time the quarter hour was up Germany were settling into the game more, having spells of possession but not creating anything in England's box.  Kyle Walker was making some good forays down the right and Tottenham teammate Deli Alli was always busy and full of ideas.  All the England players were closing the Germans down and the home players looked a little bemused by England's bright start.  Chris Smalling did lose the ball in one German attack but the resultant shot was easily blocked by Gary Cahill.  Livermore and Keane were both contributing well, with Keane looking very assured in a back three favoured by Southgate.  On 23 minutes a great move down the right involving Alli and Walker ended with the German defenders desperately hacking the ball away.  Eric Dier headed a corner into the arms of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and then a fine pass from Keane to Alli was only just headed clear.  England's attacks tended to break down in the final third of the pitch, but there was no doubting that, in the main, England were on the front foot.

Just after the half-hour mark a wonderful break down the left by Adam Lallana almost broke the deadlock.  His driving run into the box ended with a fine shot that struck the far upright, with the keeper beaten, before bouncing out to be cleared.  It was so unlucky as Lallana did everything right, but as usual when we play the Germans our luck was out.

A great piece of skill by the lively Alli almost saw him break through but it came to nothing.  The Germans were not being allowed to play well but always with them there is a danger when they move forward.  But England defended well with all the players moving as a good unit to shut down when danger threatened.  Both Joe Hart and ter Stegen lived dangerously with their footwork as forwards bore down on them, and then Dier shot over from a free-kick.  On 41 minutes Alli had the chance of the match so far when he broke away with a one on one with the keeper.  It looks odds on that Alli would score but ter Stegen blocked his shot, must to the disappointment of the England fans watching.  Alli then tried again from long range but the goal that England's first half had warranted just would not come.

The Germans re-grouped at half-time and after the break they did play better and the first chance of the second half came when Hart miscued a punch out and Julian Brandt fired an instant shot that only just went wide.  Chances came and went at both ends with Alli missing a good chance at the far post and then Lukas Podolski, playing his last international, mishit his first chance of the night.  Great play by Dier saw him fire in a cross-shot which the keeper saved at full stretch and then Leroy Sane's weak header was easily saved.  The game carried on like this until the 69th minute when a moment of magic settled the match.

For the first time England gave Podolski a bit too much space and the retiring player celebrated his last game with a magnificent shot from 30 yards that flew into the top corner with Hart having absolutely no chance of saving it.  The goal was so disappointing for England, but there was no denying the quality of the strike and it was an appropriate end for the Galatasary player, his 49th goal in Germany's colours.

Nathan Redmond, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard came on as Southgate wrung the changes and England continued to give a good account of themselves.  However, the goal brought back the typical German swagger as they confidently denied England possession.  Indeed, only a magnificent save from Hart, low to his left, prevented Sane from extending Germany's lead.  The hosts are the pass masters at protecting a one goal lead though and to be frank England never really threatened after the goal.  A number of substitutions disrupted the flow a little too, but it did give Southgate the chance to look at some of his players in an international arena.  James Ward-Prowse was given a debut, whilst Luke Shaw and John Stones came on in defence.

Podolski was given a standing ovation as he was substituted late on and England were left to rue their lack of goals in a first-half that they largely dominated.  Overall though, it was an excellent match, with many excellent individual performances.   Southgate had plenty of positives to take away with him, but England must learn one lesson quickly, in games like this, against the top sides, they MUST take the chances they create.
   

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Mike Payne - football historian and contributor