The League of Nations campaign seemed to turn into a headache for Gareth Southgate and England. The idea had been to show a response to Saturday’s 1-0 flat defeat to Hungary, but England were ahead of Jonas Hofmann’s goal early in the second half and had only been shot by arrangements. It was Germany who showed security of possession, examining Southgate’s four-man bottom line and making it look shaky.
And yet England found a way back, the last 20 minutes came to feel like a golden period for them, the chances increased in volume and clarity. The frustration would have been intense, the questions plentiful, if they had missed another tie.
But Harry Kane, who else? – I was not in the mood for soul research. Manuel Neuer had a fantastic opportunity to put FC up another goal 83 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. Grealish had a good try after 72 minutes, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide.
As Kane later admitted, it could have been “one of those days”. But there was an idea to it – the misdirected ball was turned into a cross towards Nico Schlotterbeck, who was waiting for it in the box.
Schlotterbeck’s challenge when he fell seemed awkward and Kane argued out loud that he had been cut short by the center midfielder. The strange thing was that Germany went straight to the other end, with substitute Leroy Sané not making the final pass before the VAR could get to work. After a lengthy review, the decision was made. Penal.
From there, as usual, it was never questioned. Kane placed the ball and punched it in the bottom corner. He had his 50th goal in England, one ahead of Sir Bobby Charlton and just three off the record, Wayne Rooney. And England’s mobile support, which was officially 3,466 inside the stadium, but clearly many more, was able to celebrate.
They jumped into the areas of the home sections and were almost able to toast for an impressive discount time winner. Once again, Grealish did the wrong thing, mocking and crossing, but when Kane opened his body to the side foot, he missed the kick.
Jonas Hofmann fires Germany ahead. Photo: Lee Smith / Action Images / Reuters
Southgate could be more than happy with the point. The penalty was a bit mild but, again, so was what Hungary had scored on Saturday. It became a story of England’s resilience, its refusal to wither in the face of controlled action by the nation that Southgate sees as the “benchmark” of world football, along with Brazil.
England always seem to be up against Germany, with Southgate’s nearly six-year tenure reaching last summer’s European Championship in the round of 16 victory. In England’s first return to Munich since the 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory in 2001, they were able to focus on a number of positive aspects, which had a great display in the middle. from Declan Rice Field.
It wasn’t all that easy as Southgate went with their strongest lineup available for a match that felt more loaded and valuable in terms of preparations for the World Cup than any other this season. Jordan Pickford will not enjoy the poll on Hofmann’s goal and all too often England were loose on the back.
They had been nervous at first. Antonio Rüdiger neatly controlled the ball after a short corner, and knocked it on to Kieran Trippier who had the whole net open before him, but only managed to hit the post.
Germany looked dangerous on set pieces and overshadowed the first half, with Jamal Musiala, England’s former under-21 midfielder, posing the threat from the left with his fingers gleaming in sight. . He had a handful of sightings before the interval just so England could stop the bodies.
There was also an exit for the Southgate team in the 23rd minute when Hofmann ran with a long ball from Schlotterbeck to finish, when Harry Maguire, England’s last man, fought Kai Havertz halfway. Hofmann was called back for a marginal offside. It was a concern to see how Maguire was positionally exposed.
England, however, blinked in the first half, with Kane blazing over the crossbar after Maguire had jumped for a Trippier corner. Stop for eight minutes. Bukayo Saka worked Neuer on the near post and then crawled out of the other vertical.
Germany’s build-up to the forward goal had been patient, but then the excellent Kimmich threw the killer pass to Hofmann, who had tipped into space inside the area. John Stones was uncomfortable with the soggy pitch as he couldn’t move the ball around with his usual grace. However, the way he passed Pickford was a concern. He did not have his hands in position, he threw one of them and seeing that he offered no resistance.
Mason Mount blinked as England tried to respond, extending Neuer with a sudden push after Jude Bellingham, who had replaced injured Kalvin Phillips, gained a ticket. Phillips would leave the stadium with crutches.
Müller was brought down inside the area, an easy decision for the referee there. But it was England who pushed and Kane who was decisive.