New coach, new energy, and an opponent he knows well… all dots connected for new Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco, who started EURO 2024 qualifications with a dominant 3-0 win in Sweden, and won his second game, a friendly match in Cologne: Germany – Belgium 1-3. The German tactician couldn’t have chosen a better opponent for his team, as he spent almost his whole career in Germany as Schalke and Leipzig boss and knew what tactics to use. The result after 30 minutes was 0-2 for the visitors and it should have been 4-0. Die Mannschaft was on the brink of disaster at the packed stadium in Cologne, coach Hansi Flick just stared at the pitch, and with Kevin De Bruyne’s goal, this 2-3 defeat will spark a lot of debate about the national team in Germany. BELGIUM BEAT GERMANY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANY COMPETITION SINCE 1954 😳Kevin de Bruyne scored or assisted all three of their goals in the 3-2 win ✨ pic.twitter.com/McGjbS4rfQ— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 28, 2023 The last time these sides met was in qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012, with Germany winning 3-1 to complete a perfect qualifying campaign of 10 wins from 10. Germany have won 20 of 25 meetings with Belgium and nothing suggested that the guests would make such a furious start. After 9 minutes it was already 0-2. De Bruyne found space unmarked in the center of the pitch. He saw Carrasco sprinting down the left and played him in behind the defence, which he used and smashed an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net. Two minutes later, Lukaku again scored for his team. De Bruyne was surrounded by five players but still managed to pass the ball to Lukaku, and ter Stegen couldn’t save that shot. Inter’s striker also hit the crossbar and Lukebakio missed a great opportunity for the fourth goal. Half an hour into the game, the Germans were on the ropes, but somehow managed to survive the next 15 minutes and even scored from penalty, as Lukaku handballed in the 43rd minute.That Trossard x De Bruyne link up 🔥🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/csfEFOhKtu— Lili 🔮✨️ (@neymessikyks) March 28, 2023 The home team enjoyed the break and came out of the locker room much more prepared. They had more possession, they had more shots on the ball but the final result, a defeat at the home soil didn’t change. In fact, the man of the match Kevin De Bruyne finally scored, after he provided two assists for his teammates. Sergy Gnabry softened the blow with a tap in 87th minute, and could have scored again minutes later, when he made a fantastic solo effort in the penalty area and after a series of dribblings hit the post. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7135054##
