England and Germany played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Wembley on Monday night in a UEFA Nations League clash.
Both teams had been in mediocre form coming into this game but they managed to put on a spectacle for the fans. The draw leaves England at the bottom of the group with just three points from six matches and Germany end the round robin stage in third, with seven points to their name.
The Three Lions had failed to win a single match in their UEFA Nations League group stages prior to this contest, and things went from bad to worse when Germany were 2-0 up early on in the second half. However, England did well to mount a remarkable comeback, and they were leading 3-2 at one stage. Germany scored late on to secure a point, in a game they could have easily won.
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring early on in the second half from the penalty spot. Kai Havertz doubled the visitors’ lead in the 67th minute. Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane scored in a space of 12 minutes to put the home side ahead in what looked like it could be a remarkable win for England.
However, Kai Havertz scored his second goal of the game in the 87th minute to grind out a point for his side. Here at the Hard Tackle, we look at how both sets of players fared on Monday night in the final group game of the UEFA Nations League.
?️ "We showed character and also a lot of quality in the chances we created"
Gareth Southgate gives his reaction to England's 3-3 draw against Germany. pic.twitter.com/X0jNbvOG7r
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 26, 2022
England
Nick Pope: 3/10
Pope had a torrid evening as he struggled with the ball at his feet. Pope failed to play the ball out of the back, and his poor distribution put his side under pressure time and again. Furthermore, his fumble in what should have been a rather straightforward save, allowed Kai Havertz to score his second goal of the game and bag a point for Germany.
John Stones: 5/10
Stones had to be taken off because of a hamstring injury around the 35th-minute mark. The Manchester City defender looked quite impressive prior to that. Stones defended admirably during his time on the pitch, and his passing was impressive from the back as well.
Eric Dier: 6/10
The Tottenham defender had a relatively solid outing at the back. Despite England conceding three goals on the night, Dier barely made any mistakes and can be satisfied with the performance.
Harry Maguire: 0/10
Harry Maguire after giving away a penalty ? pic.twitter.com/Dn105JMmkG
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 26, 2022
The Manchester United defender put on a horror show against Germany. Maguire struggled to deal with the intelligence and flair of Jamal Musiala. He brought down the German attacker to concede a penalty and then gave away the ball which resulted in one of Kai Havertz’s goals.
Reece James: 6.5/10
The Chelsea defender had a rough start to the game, and he was caught out on the ball a few times. However, James improved as the game went on and produced some impressive crosses, one of which led to the opening goal of the game for Luke Shaw.
Jude Bellingham: 8/10
Bellingham was the pick of the England players against Italy, and he turned on the style against Germany as well. The youngster was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch against Germany. He had a relatively solid first half and then improved tenfold in the second half. Bellingham controlled the tempo of the game and drove his team forward, creating important chances for his teammates. He won the penalty which was dispatched by Harry Kane eventually.
Class tonight, @BellinghamJude ?
He's your England Player of the Match connected by @EE! pic.twitter.com/x8ZqR1fzh7
— England (@England) September 26, 2022
Declan Rice: 5/10
Rice had a mediocre outing against Germany. While the West Ham United captain did well to break up the play from time to time, he lacked the initiative to push his team forward with purposeful passing.
Luke Shaw: 7/10
The Manchester United full-back looked out of pace against Italy. But he was handed a start here, and Shaw managed to justify his selection. The England left-back looked solid defensively and produced some impressive passes to create chances for his teammates. Shaw chipped in with the opening goal of the game for his side as well.
Phil Foden: 5/10
The Manchester City midfielder was not at his best on the night. Despite impressing with his link-up play initially, Foden’s erratic passing failed to create any chances for his teammates.
Raheem Sterling: 6/10
Sterling caused all sorts of problems for Germany’s defence with his movement and runs in behind. However, he was wasteful on the ball and failed to get on the scoresheet.
Harry Kane: 6.5/10
4 – England's Harry #Kane is just the second player in history to score in four consecutive appearances against Germany, after Hungary's Imre Schlosser (also four games between 1909-1912). History. #ENGGER pic.twitter.com/VMIq3Lls3w
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 26, 2022
Kane lacked the support and service from his teammates in the first half. He improved as the game went on just like the rest of his teammates. Scored with an emphatic penalty kick.
SUBSTITUTES
Kyle Walker: 5/10
Walker came on in place of his Manchester City teammate John Stones, who has picked up an injury. But he barely did anything of note.
Mason Mount: 7/10
Mount added impetus and urgency to England’s play after he came on. He scored an excellent goal to level things up for his side.
66’ – Saka and Mount sub on for England
75' – Saka assists Mount for the equalizerGame changers ?? pic.twitter.com/p5ZOIFpoSH
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 26, 2022
Bukayo Saka: 7/10
The Arsenal youngster was outstanding after coming on. He was deployed in a more natural role this time around after being used as the left wing-back against Italy in the last game. Saka linked up well with his teammates and set up the equaliser for Mason Mount. He could have won the game for England late on.
Jordan Henderson: N/A
Henderson came on too late to make any meaningful impact.
Germany
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 7/10
The Barcelona goalkeeper was undoubtedly the best shot-stopper on the pitch on Monday night. Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced some impressive saves to deny Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.
Thilo Kehrer: 5/10
Kehrer did relatively well defensively but struggled with his end product going forward.
Niklas Sule: 4/10
The Borussia Dortmund defender struggled as England added some urgency to their game in the second half, and Hansi Flick will be disappointed with his performance under pressure.
Nico Schlotterbeck: 3/10
Much like his defensive partner, Schlotterbeck had a disappointing outing. He struggled to deal with the movement and pace of Raheem Sterling. Gave away the penalty which was scored by Harry Kane.
David Raum: 5/10
Just like the other full-back, Raum was wasteful going forward.
Joshua Kimmich: 6.5/10
One of the main reasons why Germany dominated the game in the first half. Kimmich controlled the tempo of the game and broke up the play impressively.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10
Ilkay Gundogan has now scored more goals for Germany (16) than he scored for Borussia Dortmund (15).
It took him 96 fewer appearances. ? pic.twitter.com/JY1QvQ2RKr
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 26, 2022
The Manchester City captain did well to keep the play taking with his short and accurate passing in the first half and scored from the penalty spot early on in the second half. But Gundogan struggled as the game went on.
Jonas Hofmann: 5/10
Hofmann had an indifferent outing on the night and barely made any impact in the final third.
Jamal Musiala: 7/10
The youngster was lively on the night and caused all sorts of problems for Harry Maguire with his intelligent movement and flair. He won the penalty which was put away by Gundogan.
Leroy Sane: 6/10
Sane did not have a lot of space to exploit in the final third, but he did well to put the England defenders under pressure with his defensive work rate.
Kai Havertz: 8/10
Although his overall play was not up to the mark, Havertz chipped in with two very important goals for Germany against England. He is heading in the right direction as the 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches and should be Germany’s first-choice striker.
Kai Havertz now has 20 goals + assists in 30 appearances for Germany… at the age of 23. ? pic.twitter.com/kRPTLQHr8J
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) September 26, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Timo Werner: 6/10
Werner had decent chances after coming on, but he was wasteful in front of the goal. He set up the first goal for former Chelsea teammate Havertz.
Serge Gnabry: 6/10
Gnabry looked lively after coming on. It was his shot that was spilled by Nick Pope, and Kai Havertz found the net with his rebound effort.
Robin Gosens: 5/10
Gosens came on around the 70th-minute mark but barely made any notable impact.
Thomas Muller: N/A
Muller was brought on with ten minutes left on the clock, but he failed to impact the proceedings in the final third.
Armel Bella-Kotchap: N/A
Bella-Kotchap came on in injury time and barely had any time to make an impact.
