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Harry Kane Rescues England A 1-1 Draw Away To Germany In 2022-23 UEFA Nations League

James Gregory

(Image credit: @Euro2024)

Harry Kane scored his 50th goal for England as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions snatched a 1-1 draw away to Germany in 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.

Following a scrappy first half, Germany claimed an early second-half lead as Jonas Hoffmann rifled in a 51st minute strike on the turn.

England from there on in found themselves in a difficult scrap until Nico Schlotterbeck fouled Kane in the 85th minute, with the captain firing in a consequential 87th minute penalty to net England their first point of the latest UEFA Nations League campaign.

Goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Pellegrini saw Italy defeat Hungary 2-1 in Cesena to go top of Group 3 in League A, with Hungary sat second ahead of Germany and England who sit third and fourth in the group respectively.

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Amidst a combined total of 12 changes to the starting line-ups for Germany and England, it was the hosts who enjoyed the better start as Kai Havertz picked up a second minute pass from David Raum, only for Jordan Pickford to save the German’s shot.

Antonio Rudiger quickly became part of the action as he flicked a third-minute corner wide of the bottom-left corner, before making crucial blocks of passes from Declan Rice and Raheem Sterling within the following three minutes.

Harry Kane then missed a decent chance to put England ahead in the seventh minute, as the Tottenham striker fired straight into Manuel Neuer’s arms.

Kalvin Phillips soon afterwards sustained a thigh injury following a clash with Nico Schlotterbeck but after two separate medical time-outs, he was replaced by Jude Bellingham in the 14th minute.

Phillips’ second medical time-out however wasn’t without controversy as Germany resumed play from a throw-in despite referee – Carlos del Cerro Grande having blown his whistle to stop play, which led to Thomas Muller chipping in over Pickford but consequently ruled out.

Hoffmann fired Germany in front in the 23rd minute but his goal was ruled offside even despite a VAR check.

Kane again missed another chance to put the visitors in front as he rifled over the bar from Neuer’s flapping clearance of a 26th minute corner, as the German goalkeeper collided with Harry Maguire as they leapt up into the air challenging for possession of the ball.

Germany who displayed more energy throughout the first-half soon began to take control in the last 15 minutes before half-time, with Havertz twice denied as Pickford saved his 28th minute shot before the German headed wide at the right-post nine minutes later from Raum’s cross.

Jamal Musiala then saw a rebound 44th minute strike saved by Pickford after Schlotterbeck’s header from a free-kick had been cleared.

Bukayo Saka meanwhile twice saw powerful strikes denied at right then left corners of goal as England fought their way back into this tight contest, following eight minutes of injury-time with neither team able to find a breakthrough goal at the break.

Germany however came back out straight on the front-foot which ultimately paid dividends in the 51st minute, as Joshua Kimmich found Hoffmann just inside the box to rifle in on the turn via deflection of Pickford’s left hand to put Germany ahead.

Mason Mount wasted two strong chances to equalise in the following four minutes later as his first shot was saved, before he intercepted Musiala but his shot was deflected behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Germany’s organised pacey defence proceeded to frustrate England throughout the remainder of the match but up front, Muller rifled on goal in the 70th minute from Raum’s cross but Pickford was alert to make a swift block.

England substitute, Jack Grealish meanwhile injected more pace into the Three Lions’ attack as the winger curled a low cross towards Kane, whose 76th minute strike just yards from goal was denied by Neuer.

Kane eventually became England’s saviour as he forced a 85th minute foul out of Schlotterbeck which VAR ultimately ruled as a penalty, after having summoned del Cerro Grande to the pitchside monitor for a check.

Once the spot-kick was awarded, Kane stepped up and fired his penalty into the bottom left corner to level the score at 1-1, as Neuer dived the wrong way towards his left post.

Both teams eventually settled for a 1-1 draw despite Kane missing a late chance to fire in a winning goal, as he instead missed the ball and delivered an air shot.

The result means that both teams continue to sit third and fourth in Group 3 of League A after two matches.

Post-match, Kane took to Twitter in a reflective mood as he urged any international player to “treasure” each goal that they score no matter how many goals they net in their international career.

Kane in return received messages of congratulations from two current teammates plus an ex England legend.

 

What’s Next?

Germany travel to Hungary on Saturday 11 June before hosting Italy in Monchengladbach on Tuesday 12 June, with both matches set to kick off at 8:45pm CET.

England will host Italy at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium on Saturday 11 June, followed by Hungary on Tuesday 14 June, with both matches kicking off at 7:45pm BST live on Channel 4 for UK audiences.

 

Teams

Germany: Manuel Neuer, Nico Schlotterbeck, Antonio Rudiger, Lukas Klostermann, Jonas Hoffmann (Gnabry 65′), Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan (Sane 83′), David Raum, Thomas Muller (Goretzka 76′), Jamal Musiala (Werner 65′), Kai Havertz

Substitutes: Anton Stach, Thilo Kehrer, Leon Goretzka, Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry, Lukas Nmecha, Kevin Trapp, Niklas Sule, Benjamin Henrichs, Leroy Sane, Julian Brandt, Oliver Baumann

England: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier, Kalvin Phillips (Bellingham 14′), Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka (Bowen 80′), Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Mason Mount (Grealish 72′)

Substitutes: Reece James, Nick Pope, Jack Grealish, Marc Guehi, Conor Coady, James Ward-Prowse, Conor Gallagher, Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Ramsdale, Tammy Abraham

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