Domenico Tedesco never missed his debut as a national coach. In a two-sided friendly, the Red Devils put Germany above the knee. For the first half hour, the Belgians overflew the Germans. After the break he was sweating, until captain De Bruyne took over the salvage mission.
Germany – Belgium in a nutshell:
- Key moment: The Belgians groaned in the second half under the German attack. They preserved the prestigious victory with a clever and effective counter-attack.
- man of the match Kevin De Bruyne finished the counter. The captain also provided assists for Carrasco and Lukaku’s goal. KDB is revitalizing under the leadership of the new national coach.
- statistics: The Red Devils scored a historic victory. The last Belgian victory was against (West) Germany in 1954. Rick Coppens and his team have been winning 2-0 for nearly 70 years.
Turbulent opening stage for the Belgians
After 0-3 in the European Championship qualifying round against Sweden, an even bigger test for the Red Devils followed with Germany. Nota Bene in and against the home of new national coach Domenico Tedesco.
It was clear that he had been stirred up by the international players. Belgium’s blazing shot from the kick-off in Cologne.
Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku immediately thundered, on instructions from Kevin De Bruyne. After 10 turbulent minutes, the Red Devils led 0-2!
The reward could have been greater. Almost every Belgian attack ended with Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Dodi Lukbakio sprinted towards the German goalkeeper and shot wide, and Lukaku headed a De Bruyne corner onto the crossbar.
“A feast for the eyes,” Peter Vandenept applauded the Belgians for the first half hour. “I’ve hardly seen this level of the golden generation,” said his assistant commentator Eddie Snilders.
After 30 scorching minutes of the Belgians, the Germans showed themselves at once. Although they needed Lukaku’s hands to score from the penalty spot.
Niklas Volkrug scored his sixth goal in as many matches for the national team.
Romelu Lukaku scores again. He made 3 against Sweden.
De Bruyne with salvation after a nice counter-attack
The goal of contact gave the Germans courage. After the break, they went looking for a draw.
It didn’t happen, because the Belgians (with the necessary effort) held their ground and made a clever save on the left flank.
Charles de Kettlery sent Leandro Trossard deep. The winger overtook De Bruyne, and the leader finished in the far corner: 1-3.
Germans on canvas? No, because you know the cliches. With Germany it is not over until the final whistle blows.
Serge Gnabry rocked a great solo, but had no luck in the end. Not long after that, he just had to squeeze in the connection target: 2-3.
The Belgians groaned, but held on to victory. 2 on 2 under new national coach Domenico Tedesco.
The Red Devils will meet again in June: for the European Championship qualifiers against Austria (06/17) and Estonia (June 20).
Uriel Mangala cheers on captain Kevin De Bruyne’s goal.
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