Germany’s perfect World Cup qualifying campaign continued on Friday evening thanks to a late Mats Hummels winner in Prague against Czech Republic. Timo Werner opened the scoring inside four minutes, before Vladimir Darida pulled the hosts level with a stunning effort in the 78th. Hummels popped up with the golden goal in the 88th to claim all three points for the reigning world champions.
Die Mannschaft flew out of the blocks at the Eden Arena, though Lars Stindl was unable to make the most of Jonas Hector’s low cross. Just moment later, however, the ball was in the back of the Czech goal, after Werner latched on to a fine Mesut Özil pass to give Joachim Löw’s side the early lead.
Dangerous Czechs threaten on the break
Germany had the Czechs pegged back in their own half, but sloppy loss of possession invited the hosts to cause problems on the counter. Marc-André ter Stegen was first called upon in the 16th minute to deny Jan Boril from range.
But the 2014 World Cup winners continued to push forward: Stindl was denied by a last-ditch block from inside the box, before the game levelled off with both midfields cancelling each out for the rest of the half. The game’s next big chance fell to Theodor Gebre Selassie shortly before the break, but the Werder Bremen man lacked composure and fired high and wide.
Wonder goal from Darida followed by Hummels winner
It was a similar story in the second half, though Germany lacked precision with the final pass. The hosts were reduced to long-distance efforts, however, with Stindl Vaclik and Tomas Soucek both testing ter Stegen.
As the half progressed, the hosts grew in confidence and the equaliser appeared inevitable, with Germany struggling to make their superior possession count. Löw introduced Antonio Rüdiger in the 61st minute to bolster the defence, before adding Julian Draxler for more attacking impetus.
Die Mannschaft were eventually punished in the 78th minute, when Darida curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to give the hosts the all-important equaliser. But Czech hopes of registering a point in Group C were dashed when Hummels latched on to Toni Kroos’ free kick to head Germany to a late victory.
Germany’s perfect World Cup qualifying campaign continued on Friday evening thanks to a late Mats Hummels winner in Prague against Czech Republic. Timo Werner opened the scoring inside four minutes, before Vladimir Darida pulled the hosts level with a stunning effort in the 78th. Hummels popped up with the golden goal in the 88th to claim all three points for the reigning world champions.
Die Mannschaft flew out of the blocks at the Eden Arena, though Lars Stindl was unable to make the most of Jonas Hector’s low cross. Just moment later, however, the ball was in the back of the Czech goal, after Werner latched on to a fine Mesut Özil pass to give Joachim Löw’s side the early lead.
Dangerous Czechs threaten on the break
Germany had the Czechs pegged back in their own half, but sloppy loss of possession invited the hosts to cause problems on the counter. Marc-André ter Stegen was first called upon in the 16th minute to deny Jan Boril from range.
But the 2014 World Cup winners continued to push forward: Stindl was denied by a last-ditch block from inside the box, before the game levelled off with both midfields cancelling each out for the rest of the half. The game’s next big chance fell to Theodor Gebre Selassie shortly before the break, but the Werder Bremen man lacked composure and fired high and wide.
Wonder goal from Darida followed by Hummels winner
It was a similar story in the second half, though Germany lacked precision with the final pass. The hosts were reduced to long-distance efforts, however, with Stindl Vaclik and Tomas Soucek both testing ter Stegen.
As the half progressed, the hosts grew in confidence and the equaliser appeared inevitable, with Germany struggling to make their superior possession count. Löw introduced Antonio Rüdiger in the 61st minute to bolster the defence, before adding Julian Draxler for more attacking impetus.
Die Mannschaft were eventually punished in the 78th minute, when Darida curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to give the hosts the all-important equaliser. But Czech hopes of registering a point in Group C were dashed when Hummels latched on to Toni Kroos’ free kick to head Germany to a late victory.
