Germany vs England LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the action from Munich as the Three Lions look to bounce back from defeat to Hungary
England get away with one, but also get a lot to think about.
Harry Kane scored his 50th international goal with a contentious late penalty, to secure a 1-1 draw against Germany that Gareth Southgate’s side probably didn’t deserve. The mixed feelings were further emphasised by the context. This was undeniably a good result, from a middling performance, that also represents the first time that England have failed to win two consecutive games since June 2019.
That stat shows how far they’ve come, but maybe reminds there is also a bit to go. It was not a quirk that they failed to win this game, for all the caveats of a Nations League game.
The most notable aspect of the match was how Germany looked like they would play this way regardless of the fixture.
Hansi Flick has given them a new identity, that is itself so easy to see. It is something England still lack, and does raise more questions about what next for the summer. It is not all Southgate is missing, mind.
His side also lack the kind of notional holding midfielder that can play the sort of through ball Joshua Kimmich did in the 50th minute of this match, so divinely setting up Jonas Hofmann for his third international goal.
England did rally, though, which is to their credit.
Follow all the match reaction from Munich below:
Fikayo Tomori primed for England chance after patience in Milan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘team talks’
Fikayo Tomori watched England’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy last summer in a hotel in Milan. He had spent most of the tournament back in London, cheering his international team-mates on for the quarter-final against Ukraine with friends at the Boxpark in Shoreditch. But he returned to the city that he now calls home a few days before the European Championship final.
“I remember when they scored, I just kind of had a face on and didn’t want to look too down, like we were going to lose,” he recalls. “Being there when they won, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”
Tomori walked out by the duomo, past Italians celebrating in the cathedral’s piazza. “I was right in the middle of it,” he says, “but I just got home as quickly as I could.”
Fikayo Tomori ready for England after Milan glory and Zlatan Ibrahimovic influence
The Serie A champion has embraced life in Italy and hopes to help England towards World Cup glory after witnessing celebrations in Milan following the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 win
Warm-ups underway
Raheem Sterling has happy memories about playing Germany. Can he get on the scoresheet again tonight?
Last time in Munich
One of England’s greatest performances came against Germany in Munich 21 years ago when they won 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
Germany had only ever lost one qualifier at home in their history and things started well for the hosts when Carsten Jancker scored the opener but Sven Goran Eriksson’s men turned the match around in incredible fashion.
Three Liverpool players were all on the scoresheet with Michael Owen grabbing an unforgettable hat-trick and Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey chipping in with a goal apiece.
Can England put in a similar performance this evening?
‘This will be a good test’ says Southgate
For me Germany and Brazil are still the benchmark, regularly winning tournaments; you have to respect them. This is exactly the sort of test we need.
“We are going to push. We want to perform well. I don’t think the long season was the cause of the result the other day; the heat was a huge factor.”
Hansi Flick on England vs Germany
It’s a classic; these matches are always special. We need to be prepared, ready and play with intensity. [Against Italy on Saturday] we showed what we need to improve, but also our potential.
“England have a lot of quality – they have many great players and play very physically. Kane is world-class. It will be tough, and it’s important we to stick to our plan.”
England’s key man?
Harry Kane has scored in both of his England appearances against Germany, scoring one goal each time in victories in March 2016 and June 2021.
Only two England players have ever netted three times against the Germans, both as part of hat-tricks: Geoff Hurst in the 1966 World Cup final and Michael Owen in the 2001 World Cup qualifier.
Bellingham on the bench
Jude Bellingham who turns 19 on June 29th, has made 13 appearances for England with the only player to earn more caps for the England men’s senior team before their 19th birthday being Wayne Rooney (19).
Bellingham has to settle for a spot on the bench this evening.
Germany vs England team changes
Both managers make a whole bunch of changes from the starting XIs that lined up at the weekend.
Hansi Flick keeps Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich in his side but makes seven other changes including bringing Kai Havertz back in to lead the line.
Gareth Southgate makes five changes to his starting XI. John Stones and Kieran Trippier are recalled in defence with Kalvin Phillips returning to partner Declan Rice in midfield. Mason Mount is moved into a move central position as Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka come in to help boost the attack.
Germany line-up
Germany XI: Neuer, Klostermann, Schlotterbeck, Rudiger, Baum, Kimmich, Gundogan, Musiala, Muller, Hofman, Havertz
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