England v Germany LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction as Three Lions draw thriller
England 3-3 Germany: Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane turned a 2-0 deficit at Wembley into a 3-2 lead before Germany equalised late on
England head to the World Cup buoyed by a rousing comeback against Germany but a late error by Nick Pope meant under-fire Gareth Southgate’s side had to make do with a 3-3 draw at the end of a frenetic second half.
Among the favourites to triumph in Qatar having reached the semi-finals four years ago and finished runners-up at last summer’s Euros, hope and optimism has seeped away in recent months. England were relegated from the Nations League top tier following Friday’s loss to Italy and pressure looked set to increase on Southgate, and Harry Maguire, after Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty and a stunning Kai Havertz strike.
But the hosts displayed the kind of resilience and ruthlessness their manager called for in the build-up in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd that did not turn on the group. Luke Shaw scored England’s first goal from open play in this Nations League campaign to bring hope, with substitute Mason Mount lashing home a leveller eight minutes after they had gone two goals behind.
Wembley was bouncing and the noise went up several notches when Harry Kane slammed home an 83rd-minute penalty following Nico Schlotterbeck’s foul on Jude Bellingham, but there was to be no return to winning ways. Havertz tapped in after back-up goalkeeper Pope spilled a Serge Gnabry shot, meaning England go to Qatar without a win in six but boosted by a much-needed show of skill and spirit.
Relive the action from Wembley as England take on Germany:
Watch Sterling’s Euro 2020 goal vs Germany
Raheem Sterling was on the scoresheet the last time Germany visted Wembley, will he find the target once again this evening?
England vs Germany
Two of the last three meetings between England and Germany have been drawn, as many as in the previous 16 encounters, with the only other result in that time a 2-0 victory for the Three Lions in the last 16 of the UEFA European Championships in June 2021.
Last time out Jonas Hofmann gave the Germans a second half lead before Harry Kane equalised with a penalty in the 88th minute. Coincidentally that was also the last time the Three Lions scored a goal.
England vs Germany
Who can forget the last time England hosted Germany at Wembley?
It was on the 29th June 2021 in the round of 16 at Euro 2020.
On an unforgettable night for the Three Lions second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane and a fortuitous missed chance from Thomas Muller sealed the win for England in their first knockout game of the competition.
The Three Lions won 2-0 on that evening, can they defeat the Germans once again tonight?
England boss says there’s ‘not a lot more’ players can do about human rights in Qatar
Gareth Southgate has said there is “not a lot more players can do” regarding human rights in Qatar, after a decision to wear special captain’s armbands during the World Cup was criticised.
Some said the armbands, showing support for the OneLove anti-discrimination campaign, were not going far enough. The England manager said human rights lawyers have told him there’s not a lot players can do other than “talk about” the issues.
“We’re asking for change in a country that we’re respectful of, that has made a lot of progress, but we also don’t have any control over.” he said.
England boss says there’s ‘not a lot more’ players can do about human rights in Qatar
Gareth Southgate has said there is “not a lot more players can do” regarding human rights in Qatar, after a decision to wear special captain’s armbands during the World Cup was criticised.Some said the armbands, showing support for the OneLove anti-discrimination campaign, were not going far enough.The England manager said human rights lawyers have told him there’s not a lot players can do other than “talk about” the issues.“We’re asking for change in a country that we’re respectful of, that has made a lot of progress, but we also don’t have any control over.”Sign up for our newsletters.
‘I’m not foolish, I know I’ll be judged on World Cup results’
England boss, Gareth Southgate, had his contract extended until 2024 but he says that is no guarantee that he will keep his job if the Three Lions don’t perform in Qatar.
The national side have not won in five matches and haven’t scored in any of their last three games putting increased pressure on Southgate for, perhaps, the first time since he took over the role.
"I am not foolish," said the English boss. "I know ultimately I will be judged on what happens at that World Cup.
"Contracts are irrelevant in football because managers can have three, four, five-year contracts and if results aren’t good enough then you accept that’s time to part ways.
"Why would I be any different? I’m not arrogant enough to think that having a contract should protect me in any way from results."
Southgate excited for Germany game
Gareth Southgate is excited to take charge of England in front of a packed crowd at Wembley and believes that a victory against the old enemy - Germany - will end a dreadful Nations League campaign on a high note ahead of the World Cup in November.
Trent Alexander-Arnold omitted from England’s matchday squad against Germany
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been omitted from England’s matchday squad to face Germany but Ivan Toney has made the cut.
Gareth Southgate has also excluded the suspended Jack Grealish, Fikayo Tomori, James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen for the Nations League match at Wembley.
The Liverpool defender did not feature in the 1-0 defeat to Italy in Milan last week. The defeat leaves Southgate under pressure just months ahead of the 2022 World Cup, with a five-game winless streak.
Trent Alexander-Arnold omitted from England’s matchday squad against Germany
Ivan Toney makes the matchday squad for the Nations League match at Wembley
Early team news and predicted line-ups
England could recall Jordan Henderson after injury but it seems unlikely given the length of time he has had out and potential first choice picks Jordan Pickford and Kalvin Phillips are not in the squad.
John Stones could return after suspension but Jack Grealish is banned and Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped. Grealish’s absence may mean Ivan Toney gets a chance to feature in what would be his England debut.
There’s also a decision to be made in goal, with Aaron Ramsdale likely to come in after Nick Pope started against Italy. Gareth Southgate must decide whether to stick with a back three or revert to 4-3-3.
Meanwhile, Germany will miss Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka again due to Covid. Antonio Rudiger was booked in the last match so is suspended, while Kai Havertz will be hoping to come into the starting line-up this time.
Predicted line-ups
ENG XI: Ramsdale, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Bellingham, Foden, Kane, Grealish
GER XI: Ter Stegen, Hofmann, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Raum, Kimmich, Gundogan, Gnabry, Muller, Sane, Werner
England vs Germany
Hello, and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of England’s final Nations League fixture in this round of games as Gareth Southgate’s men host Germany at Wembley.
As far as the Nations League is concerned this match is a dead rubber with England already relegated to League B and Germany unable to reach the knockout stages. Instead, tonight’s clash provides both teams one final opportunity to perform before the 2022 World Cup starts in Qatar in November.
Southgate, and his German equivalent Hansi Flick, will take the chance to either experiment or fine tune plans for the upcoming tournament whilst the players have one last opportunity to perform and push for a seat on the flight to Qatar.
Victory for England will also bring a much needed morale boost as the Three Lions have not won in five matches and pressure is building on Southgate to play more adventurous and attacking football.
How will England fare tonight? Can they repeat their Euro 2020 heroics and defeat Germany at Wembley?
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