DFB wins in Lyon

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Germany were able to celebrate in Lyon.(Bild: APA/AFP/FRANCK FIFE)

While the German national team had no chance against Austria in the last international match of 2023, they proved too strong for France in the first match of 2024. The DFB team won the test match in Lyon 2:0 on Saturday evening - not least thanks to a lightning goal from Florian Wirtz after eight seconds. The second goal was scored by Kai Havertz.

After the German national team had repeatedly disappointed with weak performances of late, most recently in the 2-0 defeat against Austria in November last year, Julian Nagelsmann's team showed a different side against France on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe (center) could not prevent the defeat(Bild: AP)

In Lyon, the Germans were wide awake right from the start. It took Florian Wirtz just eight seconds to open the scoring. In doing so, he narrowly missed out on Christoph Baumgartner's record, which the ÖFB player had set against Slovakia shortly before.

Strong returnee
The goal was set up by the strong returnee Toni Kroos. France were initially unimpressed and pressed for the equalizer. Kylian Mbappe had the best chance, but failed to beat Marc-André ter Stegen in the German goal in the 25th minute.

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: APA/AFP/Olivier CHASSIGNOLE)

(Bild: APA/AFP/JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK)

(Bild: APA/AFP/JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK)

At the start of the second half, it was once again the DFB team who were wide awake. 63 seconds after the restart, Kai Havertz finished off a strong build-up from Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. The 2:0 should have been the preliminary decision. 

First win in more than eleven years
The French then missed the chance to add to their tally and ultimately had to watch on as the DFB team confidently secured victory. 

Samba, who usually acts as France's substitute goalkeeper, made an excellent save from a shot by debutant Maximilian Mittelstädt (79') and a double chance from 'joker' Thomas Müller and Deniz Undav (81'). At the other end, a curious near-goal from Mittelstädt, including a clearance from Rüdiger via the crossbar (88'), was dangerous once again, but a goal would not have counted due to an offside. It was the Germans' first win in France for more than eleven years.