El Mala and Kade help Germany U21 top Euro qualifiers group | OneFootball

Greece proved to be a challenging opponent for Germany once again, but the visitors went into the break with a narrow lead. Anton Kade had the first goal-scoring opportunity with a long-range effort before the decisive moment of the game.

Said El Mala scored his first goal for the U21s in the 11th minute with a first-time shot after Greece failed to clear Tom Bischof’s corner-kick. Köln’s winger reached double digits for goals in his debut Bundesliga season before the international break, although that didn’t impress Julian Nagelsmann enough for selection.

Antonio Di Salvo had to make his first substitution in injury-time of the first-half as Linus Gechter was replaced by fellow 2. Bundesliga defender Leandro Morgalla due to an injury. Greece maintained the pressure after the break, but they hardly tested Mio Backhaus in Germany’s goal.

The hosts could’ve remained in top spot had they lost by a single goal, but they failed to properly defend another set-piece by Bischof in the 73rd minute. Kade scored the goal with a brilliant header to put Germany top of the group for the first time since their defeat to the same opponent back in October.

The Augsburg man nearly turned provider a few minutes later, but Nicolò Tresoldi’s effort from close range only hit the sidenetting. The Club Brugge striker demanded a penalty-kick from the challenge that denied him a clear route to the goal, but his appeal was waved away by both the referee and Greece players.

At the other end, Backhaus made one of his best saves of the night from a decent effort by substitute Dimitris Rallis. Germany managed to hold on to their two-goal lead as they secured three massive points in the race to qualify for the 2027 U21 European championship.

The remaining three rounds of the group stage will be played in the first international break of next season. Di Salvo’s side will end their campaign at home against Georgia after facing Latvia and Malta away from home.