Australia came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in a women’s international friendly that marked the home debut for new Germany national team coach Christian Wück. Here’s how it happened.
Changes shake-up Germany
On Friday a blistering German attack overcame Sarina Wiegman’s England side — in a rematch of the EURO Final two years ago — but the follow-up match reveals a side that is, unsurprisingly, still very much a work in progress.
Wück deployed three changes in attack, one in midfield, two in defense, plus a swap at goalkeeper as he continued lineup experimentation. This is a Germany squad truly in transition, as the match’s farewell for EURO 2022 hero Alexandra Popp underscored. The early returns show plenty of promise but also plenty of work ahead.
TSG Hoffenheim’s Selina Cerci, starting in attacking midfield, scored a delightful opening goal inside five minutes from an inch-perfect cross from Vivien Endemann. It looked like Germany at its gegenpressing best, relentlessly forcing opponents into errors and pouncing immediately.
But as the half wore on, Germany showed that its precision was lacking — and not only in attack but in possession, as sloppy giveaways gave Australia initiative more often than the final statistics would suggest. Fatigue? New players in a new scheme? Or just width — the Germans stretched the field horizontally but the spacing between the players often seemed a touch too much for the passes to reach in time.
In any case neither Australia goal (despite the remarkable nature of the first, a long-range shot from Kyra Cooney-Cross) could count as a surprise, and while Germany continued to have some opportunities — Endemann with the best one at the half-hour mark — they cannot feel too the final result is too unjust for the attacking output on display.
Punished for falling asleep, waking too late
By the second half, Germany’s expansive football was flagging and Wück opted for a trio of changes at the hour mark. Even that did not pick up the energy level, which had dropped to a stupor, and the game was heading into a slog up until Australia’s second goal through Clare Hunt in the 77th minute.
It cannot be said that the goal was a surprise. Australia was knocking on the door with some regularity by this point, and even the CBS commentator pointed out the set piece — and not for the first time — was a ripe scoring opportunity for the Matildas.
Falling behind seemed to finally spark a reaction in the Germans, who tried turning it on in the last 15’ and change. Nicole Anyomi battled in the box to set up Pia-Sophie Wolter for a blazing wide-angle shot that couldn’t beat keeper Mackenzie Arnold. Then long-time Bayern Munich star Lina Magull, now in her first year at Inter Milan, showed her cleverness with a deft flick on to Endemann inside the box in the 90th minute — a chance that once more went begging.
Endemann had a bright game, including that early assist, and the goals will surely come. Today was just not her day — nor her team’s.
Jersey Swap and Meisterin of the Match
Arsenal FC star Caitlin Foord put in an impressive shift for the Matildas, though she did not get on the scoresheet. Foord battled her way through duels from start to finish, made incisive runs that stretched and broke through the German defensive lines, and forced her opponents into repeated fouls in an effort to contain her.
As for Germany, who else but the legend? Alexandra Popp graced the field for only 15 minutes but will be remembered forever for her years of contributions to Germany. This was her moment, her day, and she deserves to bask in all the love that was shown to her by teammates and fans at the MSV-Arena. An unforgettable player.
Germany play next month against Switzerland (November 29) and Italy (December 2)
