The German national team narrowly missed out on what would’ve been a prestigious win as international football made its return on Thursday evening. In their first international fixture in nearly 10 months, Die Mannschaft drew 1-1 with Spain in their opening Nations League match, leaving them second in the table behind Ukraine, who beat Switzerland 2-1.
Equaliser in injury time
After a goalless first half, ex-Leipzig striker Timo Werner put the hosts ahead in the 51st minute but in the last minute of added time, José Luis Gaya scored the equaliser for the visitors, which was not undeserved. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the first international of 2020 took place behind closed doors at Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena.
289 days since the last international game, the 6-1 EURO qualifying win over Northern Ireland on 19 November 2019, birthday boy Niklas Süle and new signing Leroy Sané were the only two Bayern players in the starting line-up. Both were making their comebacks for the national side following cruciate ligament injuries, while Thiago started for the new-look Spanish team.
Sané tests Spain keeper
It was an even contest from the start, although the long break in play was noticeable on both sides, who had new faces in several positions. Julian Draxler (14’) and Sané (18’) with a fine curling effort from the edge of the area had the first two good chances for Germany, but Spain goalkeeper David de Gea was equal to both. At the other end, Rodrigo Moreno and Sergio Busquets both threatened for La Roja.
Shortly after the interval, Werner broke the deadlock for Joachim Löw’s men and missed a chance to make it 2-0 minutes later after good work from Sané, in between a good opportunity for Rodrigo to level the score. Spain raised the pressure midway through the second half, Thiago missing the target with a probing shot from 20 metres. But with Germany heading for victory, Gaya stabbed in the equaliser to salvage a draw.
“Overall it was decent”
“After such a long season, everything’s a little difficult,” summarised Sané after the final whistle. “Overall it was decent from us. It’s always annoying to concede a goal so late, but on the whole it was okay.”
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