Live: Germany vs. Latvia

In their final tune-up game before the start of the European Championship, Joachim Löw’s Germany take on Latvia in Düsseldorf. Follow the buildup and get live updates on DW’s liveblog.

Germany 5-0 Latvia, Düsseldorf(Gosens 20′, Gündogan 22′, Müller 28′, Ozols og 39′, Gnabry 45′)

That’s half time — Germany just edging this one at the break.

45′ GOAL! Germany 5-0 Latvia — It’s five and this time Gnabry gets in on the act. Hummels spots Gnabry’s run and the Bayern man’s finish is spectacular, hooking it into the opposite top corner. Stunning.

39′ GOAL! Germany 4-0 Latvia — It’s another one. This one is an own goal by Latvia’s keeper Roberts Ozols, but it’s all about Havertz, who has been Germany’s star man tonight. He dances into a dangerous position and his attempt at a low cutback squirms under Ozols, who diverts it into his own net.

28′ GOAL! Germany 3-0 Latvia — Müller grabs a third! It’s such slick football by Germany, who are tearing Latvia apart here. Gnabry spots the run of Gosens, who cuts back perfectly for Müller, whose low first-time shot gives Roberts Ozols no chance in the Latvia goal.

Havertz has been involved in Germany’s first two goals

21′ GOAL! Germany 2-0 Latvia — Gündogan scores another! A minute and 25 seconds after scoring the opener, Germany have doubled their advantage and it’s another spectacular finish. Again, Havertz is involved, picking out Gündogan from the right. The Manchester City man gets a luck break via Latvia’s Kriss Karklins, but he rifles the loose ball ruthlessly into the top corner. Germany on fire. 

20′ GOAL! Germany 1-0 Latvia — Gosens has his first goal for Germany! He plays in Havertz, who disguises his cutback to the Atalanta man, who fires the ball into the roof of the net.

18′ Gündogan dragged back as he’s driving forward a Germany counter-attack. No sympathy from the referee, even in a friendly, and Arturs Zjuzins is in the book.

13′ Germany controlling the game and they almost make the breakthrough as Kroos whips a devilish cross into the box but Gnabry can’t quite make contact at the far post. The Bayern man was put off slightly by a Latvian defender Antonijs Cernomordijs, who threw himself at the ball.

3′ An early chance for the returning Havertz, who hammers a low shot just wide of the far post. The Champions League final hero clearly brimming with confidence.

1′ We’re off!

We’re underway in Düsseldorf, where there are 1,000 fans in attendance tonight.

A ton for Neuer

Tonight will be a night to remember for Germany’s No.1. He becomes the first Germany goalkeeper ever to reach the magic milestone of 100 caps. 

Kimmich on the right

The most interesting tactical decision by Löw tonight is the deployment of Joshua Kimmich on the right side of Germany’s four-man midfield, effectively being used as a right wingback. It’s not his preferred position, but given Germany’s embarrassment of midfield riches and relative weakness on the right side, it makes sense. Something to keep an eye on tonight.

Goretzka remains out

The only absentee for Germany is Leon Goretzka, whose hip injury isn’t deemed worth the risk by Joachim Löw. 

Team news! Havertz starts

Germany XI (3-4-3): Neuer (c) — Ginter, Hummels, Rüdiger — Kimmich, Kroos, Gündogan, Gosens — Havertz, Müller, Gnabry. 

Germany looking to bounce back

Germany’s first warm-up game for Euro 2020 last week against Denmark ended 1-1, with a performance that was satisfactory but not amazing. Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels returned after two years away.

Havertz set for a role

Fresh from his Champions League-winning goal against Manchester City, Kai Havertz is set to feature for Germany in Düsseldorf on Monday night. The Chelsea attacking midfielder has been talking about how he’s dealt with the hype in the past week, ahead of his return to the Germany setup.