Germany see off debutant Poland to start Women’s Euros with victory | OneFootball

There was a frantic start to the game as both goalkeepers blocked dangerous crosses inside the first 60 seconds. Despite this being their first-ever match in a major tournament, Poland showed that they’re here to challenge the eight-time champions from the first whistle.

However, Germany were more incisive in key battles. In particular, Klara Bühl posed a big threat from the left flank, and the Bayern attacker had the game’s first chance when her shot narrowly missed the target.

Poland’s first real chance was from set-piece play, but 19-year-old defender Emilia Szymczak rushed her decision from a promising position. Once again, the two shot-stoppers were called into action in the space of a few seconds by Jule Brand and Natalia Padilla.

Germany’s new #1, Ann-Katrin Berger, was at fault for Denmark’s chance, but she makes up for it with a decent save. Moments later, Stéphanie Frappart waved away Giulia Gwinn’s shout for a penalty-kick after Padilla stopped her run in the box.

Berger made another stop from Ewa Pajor, who scored the most goals in Europe’s top-five leagues this season (25). Although offside calls mean both chances wouldn’t have been counted had they found the net, Germany’s backline showed early cracks in the game.

And that also forced their captain to be substituted before the half-time break. Gwinn made a brave last-gasp challenge to deny Pajor a clear-cut chance, which led her to leave the pitch in tears as she sustained an injury from that action. The Bayern Munich defender missed the World Cup two years ago due to an ACL injury.

Meanwhile, her Bayern teammate Bühl consistently delivered dangerous crosses, but Germany don’t have someone like Alexandra Popp in the box anymore. The 24-year-old also tried her luck from a direct free-kick before Lea Schüller squandered Germany’s best chance of the half.

Christian Wück’s side started the second-half with better execution as Linda Dallmann’s volley was close to giving them the lead. A few minutes later, they scored with another superb strike. Brand, who was one of the best young players in Euro 2022, let it fly from outside the box for her 10th international goal.

The star of the game was Bühl, however. She sets up a clear-cut chance for Sjoeke Nüsken to double Germany’s lead, but Chelsea’s striker somehow fails to keep her header on target. Less than five minutes later, Schüller did the same after yet another precise cross from Bühl.

Sandwiched by Germany’s two misses, Poland had their best chance through the usual suspect, Pajor. That served as a wake-up call for Schüller as she finally scored from her third big chance of the night. She timed her run to head home Brand’s delivery from the right flank.

Pajor had yet another decent chance to set a nervy finale for Germany, but Berger came out on top once again. Germany are yet to lose their first match at Women’s Euros, and they keep clean sheets in each of their last six openers.

Earlier today, Sweden beat Denmark to extend their winning streak of group stage games to six. Filippa Angeldahl capped off her fantastic performance with the winning goal. Bayern’s Pernille Harder came very close to tying the score when her powerful shot ricocheted off the crossbar.

In Group B, world champions Spain displayed a five-star showing against Portugal, who had to deal with the sad news of Diogo Jota and André Silva’s passing earlier in the day.  Italy beat Belgium in the same group.

The last two first-round group stage games will be played tomorrow as defending champions England face France. Wales, the other debutants, will be up against the Netherlands.