The German footballers applauded happily, and interim national coach Horst Hrubesch was smiling after his successful comeback.
After days of fuss over head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who was taking a break, the DFB selection preserved its chance of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics with a must-win in the Nations League. Germany won against Wales 5-1 (1-1) in Sinsheim.
“We played well in the first half, the only thing we didn’t score were the goals,” said Hrubesch, who took over the German footballers on a temporary basis for the second time, on ARD. “This result will obviously help the girls now.”
Lea Schüller (25th and 47th minutes), Giulia Gwinn (80th/foul penalty), Sjoeke Nüsken (86th) and substitute Nicole Anyomi (88th) scored for the DFB selection. In front of 20,107 fans in the Sinsheim Arena, Ceri Holland (42nd) equalized to make it 1-1.
“The shortcoming in the first half was the exploitation of chances,” said Svenja Huth. “I think we played with a lot of enthusiasm and rewarded ourselves with five goals.” The next game for Hrubesch’s team will be on Iceland next Tuesday. “Nobody gets anything for free,” said Hrubesch.
Schüller shines in Popp’s parade discipline
The interim boss had previously called for more speed and less contact when playing with the ball – and the players followed. Captain Alexandra Popp was missing in the attack center, but even without the 32-year-old from Wolfsburg, the DFB team created some promising chances. Striker Schüller showed in the 25th minute that she also mastered Popp’s parade discipline: scoring goals with her head. After a good cross from Hoffenheim’s Sarai Linder, Schüller took the long-overdue lead.
In addition to the 25-year-old FC Bayern striker, Hrubesch had added four other players to the starting line-up compared to the most recent appearance against Iceland (4-0). Ann-Kathrin Berger replaced goalkeeper Merle Frohms (concussion), Svenja Huth, who replaced Popp as captain, sprinted back to her usual right side. Sara Däbritz and Laura Freigang were allowed to play in the central midfield.
Frankfurt’s Freigang – rarely used under Voss-Tecklenburg – should have added the second goal shortly before half-time when she appeared alone in front of Wales’ goalkeeper Olivia Clark. Clark, by far the guests’ best player, showed a great foot reflex.
Wales scores with their first shot on goal to make it 1-1
Instead of 2-0 it was suddenly 1-1. Linder let Wales’ Angharad James cross, Gwinn came late in the middle against Holland. Wales’ first shot on goal in the game was also their first goal ever in a duel with the DFB team, who had clearly dominated in the previous four comparisons with an overall goal difference of 34:0.
Hrubesch reacted to the equalizer, which was acknowledged with a gentle whistle, with a double substitution at the break: Freigang and Däbritz made room for Nüsken and Linda Dallmann. Dallmann crossed to Schüller – 2:1. The move, this time from the right instead of the left, looked like a copy of the 1-0. It was Schüller’s 35th goal in his 53rd international match.
The renewed lead gave the DFB team security. Again and again it went towards the guest goal, only the redeeming third goal didn’t want to come at first. Either Clark stood in the way or his own inability. Only a penalty awarded to defense chief Marina Hegering made the decision. Gwinn scored to make it 3-1. Hrubesch was able to breathe a sigh of relief, as the DFB selection played the final minutes freely – and scored twice more.
