England-Belgium was just one of many friendly matches yesterday. There were still some notable results and actions to note. An overview.
Germany-Netherlands 2-1: European Championship host country out of the valley?
After a difficult year in 2023 in which Germany suffered one defeat following another, things seem to be heading in the right direction at the right time. The European Championship organizer beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Frankfurt, following also beating France 0-2 in Lyon 3 days ago.
A year ago, the Belgians won 2-3 in Germany. It was the start of a series of 10 friendlies in which they won only twice and lost no less than 6 times: once morest Belgium, Poland, Colombia, Japan, Turkey and Austria.
Julian Nagelsmann replaced coach Hansi Flick. It didn’t work immediately, but now Germany won once morest 2 reputed opponents. Twice it was the better team.
Yesterday, following 4 minutes, they fell behind due to a volley from Veerman. Mittelstädt quickly scored, Füllkrug provided the win and the boost 5 minutes before the end.
Germany scored twice from standard situations. The winning goal was controversial: during a corner, the Dortmund striker cleared the ball into the goal, but it was not clear whether the ball had completely crossed the line.
Standout Bart Verbruggen (ex-Anderlecht) turned the ball, but the chip in the ball indicated that he had. Verbruggen: “It won’t make much difference. But if there is goal-line technology, it will make sense.”
Spain-Brazil 3-3: goal and yellow for Endrick
Spain-Brazil in the Bernabeu was all regarding the fight once morest racism and was the show of 2 youngsters: Yamal (16) and Endrick (17). The young striker from Barcelona had a foot in the 3 Spanish goals and received a standing ovation at the end when he replaced the applause.
Thanks to him, Spain took a 2-0 lead. After 10 minutes, the technically frivolous teenager was wrongly stopped in the box; Rodri converted the penalty. Ten minutes before half-time, Olmo scored the second. Rodrygo made the connection 5 minutes later.
Endrick came on following halftime. The top talent, who will move to Real next summer, only needed 5 minutes to score, three days following he was a match winner once morest England with his very first international goal at Wembley. He went to celebrate the goal with his father in the stands.
With his second penalty goal, Rodri seemed to give the Spanish team the victory in the 87th minute, but 6 minutes into extra time Paqueta also converted a penalty.
Endrick seemed to kick it first and the crowd wanted to see his future signing do the same, but the striker gave the ball to Paqueta.
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It was not all friendly yesterday, because Endrick also had the Spanish players once morest him when he made a serious mistake. Vinicius went to the Spanish bench to defend his future teammate.
The home team was also not set up to see how the Brazilians were going to celebrate the late equalizer in front of the Spanish fans. There were no fewer than 9 yellow cards, including for Endrick.
Spain-Brazil came regarding to support Vinicius Junior. The theme of the party was “One skin, one identity”. Real’s Brazilian star player played 70 minutes. The occasional captain received loud applause when he was replaced.
The winger burst into tears on Monday evening during a press moment in which the theme of racism was discussed. The Brazilian has regularly been the victim of racist incidents in Spanish football stadiums in recent seasons.
Yamal was unstoppable and had a foot in the 3 Spanish goals.
Slovenia-Portugal 2-0: 1st loss to Martinez
Roberto Martinez has lost for the first time with Portugal following 11 wins in a row. After the resounding 5-2 win once morest Sweden 5 days ago – without Ronaldo – the star was back.
But the inspiration from playmakers Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva failed to materialize. Cerin and Elsnik sealed the fate of Ronaldo and co in the last 20 minutes.
Since Morocco’s quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup, Portugal and its new coach had won every match. The ex-Belgium coach is still practicing once morest Finland, Ireland and Croatia towards the European Championship.
For Slovenia, which can go to the European Championship for a second time following 2000, it was a boost following the poor 2-2 once morest Malta last week.
Slovakia equal, Romania defeated
Slovakia, the opponent in the Red Devils’ opening match at the European Championship, drew 1-1 with Norway. Sorloth (ex-AA Gent) gave the home team a 0-1 lead in Oslo.
Erling Haaland missed a penalty shortly following half-time, which goalkeeper Rodak took. The visitors thus had the opportunity to achieve a draw past Duda in the final minutes.
Norway, where Club striker Nusa came in, was in charge. For Slovakia, Hrosovsky (Genk) played in central midfield for an hour.
Romania is also waiting for the Belgians at the European Championships. The Romanians lost 3-2 to Colombia at the home of Atletico Madrid yesterday. Colombia finished 3-0, ex-Genkenaar Hagi (84′) and Tanase (93′) softened in the end.
Razvan Marin (ex-Standard) and Nicolae Stanciu (ex-Anderlecht) started in Romania.
All practice results from Tuesday:
- Finland – Estonia 2-1
- Latvia – Liechtenstein 1-1
- Hungary – Kosovo 2-0
- Norway – Slovakia 1-1
- Czech Republic – Armenia 2-1
- Denmark – Faroe Islands 2-0
- Romania – Colombia 2-3
- Germany – Netherlands 2-1
- England – Belgium 2-2
- Austria – Turkey 6-1
- Scotland – Northern Ireland 0-1
- Ireland – Switzerland 0-1
- Luxembourg – Kazakhstan 2-1
- Slovenia – Portugal 2-0
- Egypt – Croatia 2-4
- Spain – Brazil 3-3
- France – Chile 3-2
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