Germany 2-0 Ukraine: EURO 2016 Group C Report

The world champions Germany got their Euro 2016 campaign off to the perfect start as they beat Ukraine 2-0 in Lille.

Shkodran Mustafi headed home from Toni Kroos’ brilliant free-kick to give the Germans the lead in the first half, before substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger sealed all three points in injury time in an entertaining clash in north east France.

Joachim Low started with no recognised striker, selecting Mario Gotze in the ‘false nine’ position, with Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Julian Draxler behind the Borussia Dortmund man.

Meanwhile, Ukraine began with their two danger men out wide – Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko.

Germany had the better of the opening stages and went close in the fourth minute when Gotze’s shot was well blocked, before Draxler could only fire wide from the rebound.

Ukraine showed they were there to give the World Cup holders a decent game though, and Konoplyanka was the first to test one of the goalkeepers, but his fierce effort was well tipped behind by Manuel Neuer.

Germany did take the lead in the 19th minute though, after Muller had been brought down on the right-hand side. Kroos, who was exceptional in midfield throughout, swung in a brilliant delivery and Mustafi was there to bullet a header into the net for his first goal in 11 appearances for his country.

Bastian Schweinsteiger scores the second German goal past Ukrain goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Photo: Mark Leech/Offside

Again, the team in yellow fought back and they again had Neuer in action, as Kacheridi’s close-range header was brilliantly tipped over the cross by the Bayern Munich stopper.

Kroos was continuing to pull the strings in midfield and his stunning through-ball from the halfway line found Sami Khedira, but although he took the ball down brilliantly, he could only shoot straight at Andriy Pyatov in the Ukraine goal.

Ukraine finished the first half strongly though and Konoplyanka should have done better following a brilliant dink to the back post by Yarmolenko, but he could only send a cross-shot against Jerome Boateng, who did brilliantly to clear off the line.

They did have the ball in the net two minutes later, but it was correctly called offside by the officials as the two nations went in level at the interval.

The second half was a more low-key affair, with Draxler forcing an early save from Pyatov, before Kroos’ superb 30-yard strike brushed the crossbar.

Neuer was again brought into action just before the hour-mark as he tipped Yaroslav Rakitskiy’s long-range free kick past the post, while substitute Andre Schurrle fired just wide for Low’s side.

However, Germany did get their second goal in injury time, as Ozil broke away down the left, before sending in a cross for Schweinsteiger, who finished well on the half-volley despite being on the pitch for less than three minutes.

Man of the Match: Toni Kroos (Germany)

The midfielder was exceptional in the middle of the park, dictating the play and firing accurate passes all over the pitch. In addition to this, he also provided a brilliant set-piece delivery for Mustafi to give his nation the advantage, and could have had another assist when he played Khedira in, before hitting the crossbar himself with a long-range effort.

What’s Next? Germany face Poland, who beat Northern Ireland in their opening Group C match, at the Stade de France on Thursday, while Ukraine entertain Michael O’Neill’s men on the same day in Lyon.