Wonderful Wirtz shines in Germany's win over Switzerland | OneFootball

Germany won their first game of 2026 with a dominant second-half display away at neighbours Switzerland. The 4-3 scoreline ended a four-game winless streak for Germany in this fixture as they won at St. Jakob Park for the first time since a 4-0 victory in 2008.

Goals galore in end-to-end first-half

Germany’s first couple of chances arrived in quick succession around the 15th minute. In his first game for the national team since the end of 2024, Kai Havertz had the first opportunity before Mainz’s captain Silvan Widmer denied Serge Gnabry.

Similarly, Switzerland had a couple of efforts within a few seconds in an exciting start to the game. Widmer was unable to open the scoring, but Dan Ndoye succeeded following a solo run and a near-post finish.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s misplaced pass invited the hosts, although the Nottingham Forest winger had a lot to do to score in successive appearances for the Swiss national team. Oliver Baumann could have done better, but Gregor Kobel also conceded from a shot closer to him in an enthralling start to the game.

Manuel Akanji made a superb interception to block Havertz from reaching Joshua Kimmich’s inviting cross, but the resulting corner-kick tied the game. Jonathan Tah headed his first international goal from another dangerous cross to the box, this time from Florian Wirtz.

Havertz helped his case to be the starting striker for Germany in the World Cup with a lively performance, as Kobel had to make another save from the Arsenal ace before his attempt from a narrow angle missed the target.

However, it was one of Switzerland’s best players of the half who created the next goal of the game with a pinpoint delivery. Ex-Bundesliga striker Breel Embolo continued his fine form for Switzerland as he headed home from close range from Widmer’s cross.

With Germany fully committed to finding an equalizer before half-time, Augsburg’s Fabian Rieder was only denied by the crossbar from extending Switzerland’s lead with a trademark shot. That proved decisive as Germany found their way back into the game with the last action of the half.

Wirtz reacted fast to find Gnabry with a lovely through pass after Nico Elvedi’s mistake in possession. The Bayern Munich attacker beat the onrushing Kobel with an equally delightful lob. Despite his inconsistent form for Liverpool, Wirtz registered two first-half assists in back-to-back games for Germany.

Germany on top after the break

As expected from Murat Yakin’s pre-match request to use 11 substitutions, Switzerland swapped four players at the break. In his 30th game as Bundestrainer, Nagelsmann decided to stick with his starting lineup as Kobel stopped Gnabry from a similar finish inside the first five minutes.

At the other end, substitute Johan Manzambi failed to capitalize on a counterattacking chance, with the end-to-end nature of the game showing no signs of slowing down. Wirtz saw his superb strike tipped away by Kobel in between two chances for one of Nagelsmann's favorites, Goretzka.

The visitors played with more cohesion after the restart, and they were in front for the first time with a superb bit of play from the "Man of the Match". Wirtz found the top corner with an unimaginable strike after receiving the ball from Gnabry with a short corner-kick routine. Although it was usual to doubt whether players meant to score from a crossing position, he glanced at goal before unleashing the delightful curler.

After the goal, Nagelsmann made his first changes as the 18-year-old winger Lennart Karl became the sixth youngest player to feature for Germany. The only new face in the current squad was accompanied by the out-of-form Nick Woltemade. As one could expect from Nagelsmann's criticism of Eddie Howe, the Newcastle United man took Havertz's place as the loan striker.

Supersub Monteiro denied by Wonderful Wirtz

Germany continued to fashion the best chances as Woltemade failed to head home from another inviting cross from Joshua Kimmich, who was bleeding from Johan Manzambi's challenge minutes ago. Karl also added a fresh impetus for Germany's attack, but Switzerland only needed one chance to tie the game. 

Baumann was beaten from Switzerland's two first-half shots on target, and Germany's new number one conceded three from three when Joël Monteiro stunned everyone with a ferocious strike in the 79th minute. 

However, Germany still had Wirtz on the pitch as the former Bayer Leverkusen star produced another scintillating finish to the top corner with only four minutes left from the end of the regular time. Germany held on to the win as they started the new year with an entertaining victory.

Germany will host Ghana on Monday to finish the first international break of the year. Nagelsmann’s side will end their preparations for this summer’s World Cup with games against Finland and the USA weeks before the start of the main event.