Germany prevail 2-0 in tough clash vs. Luxembourg as Woltemade strikes twice | OneFootball

Germany walked away with a 2-0 win in Luxembourg, carried by a ruthless double from Woltemade, who needed only two real chances to decide the match.

The result was deserved given Germany’s clinical edge after the break, yet the story of the game is more nuanced: Luxembourg’s spirited performance, full of pressure and purpose, easily could have yielded more if their finishing had matched their energy.

In the end, Germany took their moments, Luxembourg didn’t - and that made all the difference. Here is a detailed match review of Germany's win on Friday night:

First half:

The first half at Luxembourg’s home ground has been a surprising showcase of energy and intent from the hosts, while Germany have looked largely unmotivated and blunt in attack. From the opening whistle, Luxembourg pressed high, eager to win the ball quickly and create opportunities.

Germany had a promising moment in the 9th minute when Goretzka won possession in Luxembourg’s half and set up Wirtz, whose half-hearted strike from the edge of the area only produced a corner. But Luxembourg quickly responded: in the 11th minute, Sinani came close to giving the hosts the lead after a slick move through Germany’s defence, narrowly missing.

Germany’s set-pieces offered little threat, with Anton’s header from Raum’s free-kick in the 13th minute comfortably held by Moris. Luxembourg continued to look dangerous, and in the 18th minute, Dardari’s counterattack effort went just wide, highlighting Germany’s vulnerability at the back. Sinani remained a constant menace, forcing Baumann into another save from a corner in the 21st minute.

Germany struggled to create meaningful chances, their attacks lacking pace and cohesion. Wirtz’s solo run in the 28th minute ended with a wild shot over the bar, and Sinani’s 29th-minute strike from a corner was tipped over by Baumann, keeping the score level. By the 37th minute, Baumann, unusually, had registered more touches than Gnabry and Woltemade combined, underscoring Germany’s sluggish presence in midfield and attack.

As the half concluded, Luxembourg had arguably been the side showing the most urgency, leaving Germany with plenty to ponder at halftime in a 0-0 stalemate.

Second half:

The start to the second half was quite different to the first - while Luxembourg were still eager to continue their high press, Germany came out looking much more motivated, which resulted in the first goal of the game:

Just 4 minutes in, a long ball from Pavlović found Galatasaray's Sané, who got the ball in perfectly for Woltemade to finish. Even though Germany had not done much to earn this goal, this scene underlines their ability to strike out of nowhere.

The next few minutes were quite hectic, with both sides getting into heated discussions and being provoked into making small fouls. The Luxembourg players were heavily criticizing the referee's decision to not show Goretzka a second yellow card, after his foul in the 52nd minute. Julian Nagelsmann reacted quickly and subbed Goretzka off before he would actually get his second booking.

Luxembourg found their rhythm 10 minutes after conceding and had another great chance with Sinani testing Baumann once again - but a goal wasn't to be.

Then in the 69th minute, it happened again: Germany proved their ruthlessness by scoring another goal - this time it was Ridle Baku who provided the assist by playing a great through ball to Nick Woltemade, who once again only had to get a touch in to score a goal. 2-0 to Germany.

The newly called-up Assan Ouedrago and Said El Mala did not get any minutes in this match, something that could've looked differently if it wasn't for Germany's poor first half. Their debuts will now depend on how Germany's match against Slovakia will turn out to be, especially in the first half.

After the second goal, the game turned even more into Germany's favour: Nagelsmann's boys finally looked like they feel comfortable dominating the game and play and Luxembourg lost the motivation to press as high as they did before.

A long shot from Felix Nmecha in the 91st minute brought the last real excitement in the game, but it was paried by Moris.

Germany got the 2-0 win over the line and positioned themselves greatly for their final showdown against Slovakia on Monday.