The 2-0 win over Ukraine made Germany the first team to win a game by more than one goal, and numerous previous one-goal winners were somewhat fortunate to claim even that slender margin.
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They were certainly grateful to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for some fine first-half saves and a spectacular goal-line clearance from Jerome Boateng.
Following the restart, there were chances for both outfits to steal a goal, but it was Bastian Schweinsteiger who killed the tie off as a contest with a late, late decider after being teed up by Mesut Ozil.
“We played well and kept up our good standards in defense”, said Bayern Munich’s Neuer.
And as Ukraine pressed for a leveller, Die Mannschaft broke on the counter to finish it off in one foul swoop, pocketing a valuable three points, which has them in a strong position ahead of their next Group C fixture against Poland who had earlier beat Northern Ireland 1-0. “We have enough experienced players”.
“But the coach has also often said it – we need every player”.
Ukraine afforded him plenty of space in which to do damage, but other teams will know they must get a lot tighter to him in order to disrupt Germany’s supply line.
“The game is really important for the future of the group”.
Mustafi’s stoppage-time header back to keeper Manuel Neuer that nearly gifted the Ukrainians a goal was indicative of the overall performance in defense.
Poland’s second-half victor from 22-year-old Arkadiusz Milik steered his team to a 1-0 victory ending Northern Ireland’s first appearance at a major finals for 30 years in disappointment.
Ukraine defender Artem Fedetskiy wants his side to forget the defeat to Germany and focus on their two remaining games against Poland and Northern Ireland. Ive now played five minutes, Im not yet so far that I can play for 90 or 120.
Germany killed the game off in the final minute as Ozil burst down the left and whipped in a cross for Schweinsteiger to hammer home.
“It was wonderful for that to happen, it’s the kind of thing you can only wish for, but the most important thing is the team wins”, he told ARD television. That helped create more quality scoring chances for Germany as well – though Ukraine’s defense held up well and they still had their chances going forward, especially after bringing on exciting young attacker Oleksandr Zinchenko as a substitute.
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But the highly significant caveat is that England did not win, even though they were playing against a surprisingly poor Russian team who offered nothing in attack and looked far too open in defence.
