Germany, the reigning World Cup champion, looks to add another major tournament trophy to its case beginning with an opening Euro 2016 match Sunday against Ukraine.
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Schweinsteiger, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee in training on March 22, came on in the last minute and knocked in a Mesut Ozil cross in the second minute of injury time. They lead 1-0 at halftime at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. After all the injuries… something like this happens. My injury has healed, I feel good. These casualties will hamper this side later in the tournament but against Ukraine, I think they have more than enough talent.
“But I hope our players understand this matter and that they want to bring some joy to the people in our home country”.
Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi powered home the opener and then Bastian Schweinsteiger came off the bench to score his first worldwide goal in five years and seal three points.
“I’m ridiculously excited for it to get started”, he said.
Ukraine nearly hit back instantly from their own set-piece but Neuer expertly saved from Yevhen Khacheridi’s point-blank header.
Toni Kroos’ free-kick was, naturally, flawless and the former Everton man Shkodrian Mustafi controlled his header brilliantly to take it away from Andriy Pyatov for what was a first worldwide goal.
Germany coach Joachim Loew hailed Boateng, who was the target of right-wing German politician Alexander Gauland this month.
“I was not surprised by Ukraine, because I’ve seen them over the last two years”. So there are things we’ve made the guys aware of.
LILLE, France (AP) – Just weeks after he had doubts about even making it to the European Championship, a faultless performance by Jerome Boateng at the heart of Germany’s defense helped the world champions make a winning start to Euro 2016.
Though Poland dominated large stretches of the match, it will likely need to convert more of the chances it makes to get past Germany. Having already scored nine goals in qualifying stage, the Bayern Munish striker is going to be the main challenge for Ukrainian defence.
Modric, who missed the opening penalty for Croatia in the 2008 shootout, made amends with an impressive display, organising his side with calm authority before being named man of the match. “We have to forget about it now, we have to move on to the next match”.
“He really played well, he was our leader”.
Fomenko believes his players’ confidence will be intact when they face Northern Ireland on Thursday.
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That spirit stood in contrast to the mass violence involving English and Russian fans in Marseille over the previous three days, and the attack by Russian fans on English supporters in the stadium after their teams drew 1-1 on Saturday.
