KEVIN De Bruyne recorded one goal and two assists to lead Belgium to beat Euro 2024 hosts Germany 3-2 in a friendly match in Cologne, Wednesday (29/3) early morning Western Indonesian Time.
De Bruyne provided the assist for the two goals that put Belgium 2-0 up after just 10 minutes before scoring late in the second half.
“Regardless of the result, it’s very important for us to put in a good performance in a friendly like this,” said Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco.
“It’s not easy to play here. The German national team is filled with great players,” he continued.
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Germany tried to show a good performance after they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. However, the Panzer team instead suffered their first defeat to Belgium since 1954.
“We didn’t play loose, were too passive, and couldn’t get out of pressure,” admits Germany coach Hansi Flick. “Belgium has given us no mercy.”
Germany were knocked out for the second time in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar last year after being knocked out in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
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Tedesco played Yannick Carrasco to replace Leandro Trossard and the results were slick after the Atletico Madrid midfielder found the net after only six minutes of play.
Romelu Lukaku, who scored a hat-trick in Belgium’s 3-0 win over Sweden in a qualifier for the 2024 European Cup, Saturday (25/3) early morning Western Indonesian Time, doubled Belgium’s advantage over Germany using De Bruyne’s pass, which also provided assist for Carrasco’s goal.
Germany, who lost their three main centre-backs, struggled to cope with the onslaught of Belgium.
The entry of Emre Can to replace Leon Goretzka, who was injured, midway through the first half, made the home team play better.
Germany scored shortly after when Niclas Fuelkrug scored from the spot after Lukaku handled a handball in the box. The goal was the Werder Bremen striker’s sixth goal in six matches for the German national team.
De Bruyne then made it 3-1 for Belgium with 10 minutes remaining from Trossard’s assist.
Serge Gnabry made it 3-2 through his goal with three minutes remaining in the match.
The 3-2 score for Belgium’s victory over Germany lasted until the game was over. (AFP/Z-1)