Germany stunned by Greece despite second-half comeback | OneFootball

Germany U21’s kicked off the international break with a disappointing defeat, lacking that clinical edge they normally display. A late strike from Dimitris Rallis decided a pulsating encounter, leaving Di Salvo’s side to rue what might have been.

With so much momentum carried over from the last international break, the opening 45 minutes were nothing short of a nightmare for Antonio Di Salvo’s side. Greece took the lead in the 12th minute after a short free-kick routine eventually saw the ball floated towards the back post. Alexis Kalogeropoulos outmuscled his marker to nod it back across goal, where the unmarked Kostas Kostoulas headed home with the German defence caught flat-footed.

Less than a minute later, Germany’s woes deepened. Goalkeeper Dennis Seimen tried to play out under pressure inside his six-yard box, but a lurking Stefanos Tzimas closed him down, dispossessed him, and tapped into an empty net to make it 0-2.

Germany gradually began to impose themselves as they set about trying to get back into the game, but their efforts were largely limited to hopeful efforts and long balls forward. Greece became increasingly sloppy in possession yet remained resolute at the back. The hosts’ best chance came in added time when a corner found Lukas Ullrich, who beat his man and whipped in a teasing cross to the back post. Nelson Weiper met it unmarked but could only direct his header back across goal onto the post - a moment that summed up Germany’s frustrating half. They went into the break 0-2 down, with plenty of work to do.

Germany came out for the second half knowing a big response was needed and took less than 15 minutes to deliver it in emphatic fashion. The double substitution of Said El Mala and Assan Ouédraogo injected new life into the hosts, sparking a spirited comeback. After starting the second half with renewed intent, they pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Muhammed Damar fired a low shot across goal past the helpless Nikolaos Botis. Just six minutes later, the game was level as Tom Bischof’s pinpoint corner found Tom Rothe, who rose above two Greek defenders to head home - delighting the home crowd.

Despite sustained dominance, Germany’s earlier frustrations in attack began to resurface, with Nicolo Tresoldi’s curling effort that grazed the outside of the post the closest they came. Then, in the 80th minute, all their hard work was undone. Substitute Dimitris Rallis outmuscled Hendry Blank on the edge of the box before firing a shot towards Seimen’s goal that crept in off the post - restoring Greece’s shock lead and leaving Di Salvo’s side stunned.

Germany huffed and puffed, coming close through El Mala and Weiper but couldn’t find the breakthrough, leaving a sour taste of defeat as the referee brought proceedings to a close. A disappointing loss for Di Salvo’s men, who allowed Greece to unsettle them too easily and now have plenty to reflect on before their trip to Belfast. For Greece, it’s a huge win - one that sends them top of the group ahead of their visit to Latvia.