Germany vs England LIVE: Nations League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the action from Munich as the Three Lions look to bounce back from defeat to Hungary
England get away with one, but also get a lot to think about.
Harry Kane scored his 50th international goal with a contentious late penalty, to secure a 1-1 draw against Germany that Gareth Southgate’s side probably didn’t deserve. The mixed feelings were further emphasised by the context. This was undeniably a good result, from a middling performance, that also represents the first time that England have failed to win two consecutive games since June 2019.
That stat shows how far they’ve come, but maybe reminds there is also a bit to go. It was not a quirk that they failed to win this game, for all the caveats of a Nations League game.
The most notable aspect of the match was how Germany looked like they would play this way regardless of the fixture.
Hansi Flick has given them a new identity, that is itself so easy to see. It is something England still lack, and does raise more questions about what next for the summer. It is not all Southgate is missing, mind.
His side also lack the kind of notional holding midfielder that can play the sort of through ball Joshua Kimmich did in the 50th minute of this match, so divinely setting up Jonas Hofmann for his third international goal.
England did rally, though, which is to their credit.
Follow all the match reaction from Munich below:
England fans arrested in Munich after making Nazi salutes
Seven England fans have been arrested in Munich ahead of the match against Germany this evening, UK police have said, including three supporters who were detained for making nazi salutes.
England manager Gareth Southgate had called on travelling fans to be on their best behaviour ahead of the team’s first away match in Germany since 2016 and following the “embarrassment” of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley last summer.
In preparation, the Football Association were on “high alert” for trouble ahead of the match and police confiscated the passports of 880 England fans ahead of the fixture.
England fans arrested in Munich after making Nazi salutes
Seven arrests were made on Monday after incidents of alcohol-fueled anti-social behaviour, police said
Germany vs England
Germany have failed to score in their last two matches against England (0-0 in November 2017 and 0-2 in June 2021), as many as in their previous 16 games combined.
They’ve never gone three consecutive matches without a goal against the Three Lions.
England fans in Munich ‘determined to fix poor reputation’ ahead of Germany fixture
England football fans in Germany have said they are determined to be on their best behaviour after a plea from manager Gareth Southgate.
Three Lions supporters who have already arrived in Munich ahead of Tuesday’s Nations League fixture said the overwhelming majority of fans want to “fix” their “pretty poor reputation” internationally, particularly in light of the unsavoury scenes at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final.
And they said England fans have been turning on troublemakers in an effort to clean up their image at international football matches, including condemning offensive chanting.
England fans in Munich ‘determined to fix poor reputation’ ahead of Germany fixture
Three Lions supporters who have already arrived in Munich said England fans have been turning on troublemakers in an effort to clean up their image
England fans arrested in Germany
Seven England fans were arrested in Munich on Monday, including three for making Nazi salutes, with about 4,000 England fans expected in the city for tonight’s Nations League clash between the Three Lions and Germany.
The other arrests included two for inciting police, one for using a flare indoors and another for urinating in public.
The FA has been working with the local police and security services to limit fan disorder in Germany. It is the first time England have been accompanied by a significant away support since the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 and it is their first game in Munich since beating Germany 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier in 2001.
There are concerns that further trouble from England supporters could impact the joint UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028, with England having to play their Nations League game against Italy on Saturday without spectators following the unacceptable unrest at Wembley during last summer’s Euro 2020 final.
England and Germany ready to renew rivalry and set World Cup benchmark
To realise how misleading the period between tournaments can be, you only have to consider England’s last trip to Munich, before Tuesday’s return.
That was of course the famous 5-1 in 2001. And yet Gareth Southgate, who was on the bench that day, points to what happened next with Germany.
“They ended up in the World Cup final on the back of that qualifying campaign.”
It offers rationale for why Southgate is willing to sacrifice these Nations League games for the benefit of November.
England and Germany ready to renew rivalry and set World Cup benchmark
While Gareth Southgate is prepared to sacrifice games now for World Cup success, tonight’s test in Munich will offer clues as to where two tournament heavyweights stand
Two-in-a-row?
England won 2-0 in their last meeting with Germany last June at the European Championships.
The Three Lions haven’t won consecutive games against them since a seven-game winning run between 1935 and 1966, the last game of which was the World Cup final.
Southgate reacts to Hungary defeat
“I don’t think we did enough to win the game, a draw would have been a fair outcome.” said England boss Gareth Southgate after the Three Lions lost 1-0 to Hungary in their Nations League opener on Saturday.
“We had enough possession but we weren’t incisive in and around the box, didn’t create too many clear-cut chances, although we had some dangerous possessions towards the end of the game.
“The actual result hinges on a decision which I think is harsh but wasn’t going to be overturned. Away from home sometimes you’re going to get those calls.”
He added: “I don’t want to be too harsh on them because these are games we need to learn from. They’re bitterly disappointed because we want to keep winning matches.
“If we’re going to be a team right at the top tier of world football we’ve got to come here and win.
“We’ve got huge disappointment in terms of that but as a coach you’ve got to think about what we take from the game and what we learn from it.”
John Stones relishing every England opportunity after battling back to reclaim place
While many players resent this international break, with Kevin De Bruyne the most vocal, one of the Belgian’s Manchester City teammates just can’t feel the same way.
That is because it wasn’t that long ago that John Stones felt he would never play for England again. The centre-half was on 39 caps in November 2019, but it stayed that way until March 2021. That was largely down to the fact he wasn’t playing much football at all under club manager Pep Guardiola.
“I had a dream as a kid, trying to get 50 caps for England and I have made that come true but I didn’t think I would,” Stones explains. “I was not playing and I never thought I would get that opportunity again.
“I was not playing at City and you have to be playing and playing well to get called up. I did not know if I would get called back up and I used that as a kind of motivation to get back and it was big. It wasn’t switching mentality, but realising what I can do and what I should be doing to be here.”
John Stones relishing every England opportunity after battling back to reclaim place
The Manchester City defender does not allow himself to take international opportunities for granted after losing his spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad
Stones delighted to be back with England
Manchester City’s John Stones will earn his 57th senior cap for England should he feature on Tuesday night, something which he still admits is still hard to believe.
“I had a dream as a kid, playing for England, trying to get 50 caps for England and I have made that come true,” he said. “I didn’t think I would.
“I think the 50-cap thing was when I made my debut for England. I never thought that would happen but you set yourself a target and it rolls on.”
Stones’ first involvement with England at any level came in an under-19s game against Germany back in 2012 and he’s since progressed through the ranks to become an established member of the senior squad offering a sense of stability in England’s defensive line.
Early team news for England
Leicester City defender, James Justin, will miss tonight’s match versus Germany due to the injury his picked up at the weekend during his England debut against Hungary.
AC Milan centre back Fikayo Tomori is also unlikely to feature but Marc Guehi and Raheem Sterling are expected to be available.
Southgate said: “James [Justin] won’t be ready for tomorrow but we are hopeful he can be back for if not the next game then the game after.
“Marc [Guehi], as far as we have assessed to this point, because things are still going on, should be available for tomorrow.
“With Fik [Tomori], we might give him a little bit longer. He has progressed really well and we probably could put him in the squad but given it was a hamstring injury, we are going to give it a little bit longer because that would be beneficial for him.
“As for Raheem [Sterling], he is absolutely fine.”
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