Euro 2020: Kylian Mbappe shines but Mats Hummels own goal gives France 1-0 win over Germany
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France hardly got out of second gear but still managed to beat former world champions Germany 1-0 in their Group F opener of Euro 2020 in Munich on Tuesday. Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba were on top of their games but it was a Mats Hummels own goal that did the job for France.
The own goal that came into the 20th minute proved to be the only goal in the much-anticipated clash. The experienced defender was attempting to stop Lucas Hernandez’s cross from reaching France forward Kylian Mbappé when he diverted the ball into his own net. In fact, Hummels had a good evening apart from that decisive own goal as he fended away threats from Mbappe on a regular basis.
Euro 2020: France 1-0 Germany, Group F match Highlights
France go to the 2nd spot in Group F, tied on points with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal who clinched a 3-0 win over Hungary earlier on Tuesday.
This is the first time Germany have lost an opening game in the group stage of the Euros. Joachim Low’s men have plenty of opportunities but their finishing was not up to the mark against France. Ilkay Gündogan wasted Germany’s best opportunity of the first half when he couldn’t direct his shot on target.
Kylian Mbappe once again proved one he is one of the most-feared forwards as he came up with blistering runs that terrorised the German defence. Mbappe even found the back of the net with a superb finish to beat Manuel Neuer in the second half but he was ruled off-side following a superb flick that beat the defence from Paul Pogba.
And it looked like Karim Benzema had got his first goal for France in 6 years on his return to the national team but once again Mbappe, who delivered a defence-splitting cross to the Real Madrid striker, was ruled off-side.