Nations League: Germany beat Ukraine 3-1 with Werner double to top group

Germany striker Timo Werner scored in every half to assist steer his aspect from behind to a 3-1 residence win over Ukraine within the Nations League on Saturday as they topped the group with one spherical of video games left to play.

Werner scored twice after Leroy Sane had cancelled out a shock 12th minute lead for the guests, who had 4 gamers, together with high striker Andriy Yarmolenko, dominated out after testing positive for COVID-19 on the eve of the sport.

The Germans, within the midst of an overhaul following their 2018 World Cup first spherical exit, at the moment are high of Group A4 on 9 factors, one forward of Spain who they go to on Tuesday. The high staff qualify for the ultimate 4 stage of the competitors. Ukraine, who hit the woodwork 3 times, are third on six factors, with Switzerland backside on three after a 1-1 draw with guests Spain.

“We won a match against a good Ukrainian team and overall we can be satisfied,” coach Joachim Loew mentioned. “We wanted also to warm up as a team (ahead of next year’s European Championship) and I think we did that to a certain extent. We had the game under control in the first half and we had a lot of pace. In the second half we were maybe not as focused.”

After getting the all-clear from Leipzig’s well being authorities for the sport to proceed, the Germans obtained off to a powerful begin however needed to come from behind after Roman Yaremchuk scored in opposition to the run of play.

Leon Goretzka arrange the following two objectives, first launching a fast break and sending Sane by means of for the equaliser within the 23rd minute after which controlling a Robin Koch cross and lofting the ball for Werner to go the hosts in entrance 10 minutes later.

Germany, with their Bayern Munich contingent again within the squad after being rested in Wednesday 1-Zero win over the Czech Republic in a pleasant, nonetheless confirmed gaps in defence, having now managed only one clear sheet of their final seven matches.

They didn’t concede equalisers as in three of their earlier 5 matches however have been nonetheless fortunate when Ukraine hit the submit within the 53rd with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s deflected shot. Werner fired residence his second within the 64th earlier than Ukraine hit the woodwork twice extra by means of Marlos and substitute Junior Moraes in a powerful end.