With an outstanding Jamal Musiala in attack, new captain Joshua Kimmich as leader and Aleksandar Pavlović with his first goal, the German national team won their first international match since the summer's European Championship on home soil on Saturday evening. Julian Nagelsmann's side beat Hungary 5-0 in Düsseldorf on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Nations League.
Jamal Musiala: 'Have to use every match'
"The important thing was to win the game," summarised Kimmich. "We did a very controlled job overall. I thought the first half was very good too, we could've led by more earlier. For the first five or 10 minutes after the break, it wasn't as easy. We had an excellent block from Robert Andrich and then made it 2-0 shortly after." Team-mate Musiala said after the match: "It was really fun and was important that we take forward the joy from the EURO. We have to use every game and build up a chemistry. We want to take the good energy from this match."
The opening goal came in the 27th minute from Niclas Füllkrug, set up by good vision from Musiala, who was honoured as one of the joint top goalscorers at the EURO before kick-off. The Bayern attacker then found the net himself with a fine strike to make it 2-0, finishing off a run that started in his own half after being played in by Florian Wirtz. Musiala, who was involved in pretty much every German attack, then returned the favour for Wirtz in the 66th minute.
Pavlović scores first goal
Pavlović, who came on in the 60th minute, also had plenty of cause for celebration on his second senior international appearance. In the 77th minute, the 20-year-old netted his first goal for the national team, again assisted by Musiala. A Kai Havertz penalty (81st) made it 5-0. On Matchday 2, Die Mannschaft take on Netherlands in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
Kane and England overcome Ireland
Bayern frontman Harry Kane also enjoyed a victory on Saturday with England. The Three Lions beat Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Dublin in their Nations League opener, with Declan Rice (11') and Jack Grealish (26') scoring the goals in interim manager Lee Carsley's first match. Kane captained the team as usual and played until the 84th minute. England meet Finland in London on Tuesday in their second Nations League encounter.
Davies captains Canada in USA victory
The Canadian national team, led by Bayern defender Alphonso Davies, claimed a prestigious 2-1 win over USA on Saturday night. Jacob Shaffelburg gave the Canadians the lead in the 17th minute in the friendly in Kansas City, Jonathan David doubling it on 58 minutes. The United States reduced the deficit through Luca de la Torre (66'). Davies captained the Reds and played the full 90 minutes. His side play another friendly against Mexico overnight on Wednesday.
Konrad Laimer was on target in Austria's 1-1 draw against Slovenia on Friday:
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