In a thrilling match at Wembley Stadium, the German women’s soccer team triumphed 4-3 over England in coach Christian Wück’s debut. The game featured an explosive start with Giulia Gwinn scoring twice and Klara Bühl adding another, establishing a 3-0 lead. Although England rallied back to tighten the score, a penalty by Sara Däbritz secured the victory. Wück emphasized a courageous playing style, and the team showcased both skill and challenges as they navigated the match.
In an exhilarating match, the German women’s soccer team triumphed over England with a score of 4-3, marking the debut of national coach Christian Wück in London. The friendly match provided both excitement and valuable insights.
Before the kickoff, festivities erupted at Wembley Stadium, featuring a dazzling light show, fireworks, and music, captivating nearly 48,000 fans. The first half delivered just as much thrill as the pre-match entertainment, with the Germans lighting up the scoreboard. Giulia Gwinn struck first from the penalty spot in the 4th minute, followed by another impressive goal from 14 meters out aided by a brilliant assist from Klara Bühl in the 11th minute. Just before the 30-minute mark, Bühl silenced the home crowd with a third goal, signaling a dream start for Wück as head coach. Wück commented post-match, ‘When you’re 3-0 up after half an hour here at Wembley, there’s little to complain about. After that, we should have played with more composure. But after just three training sessions, the girls did very well.’
Courage and Creativity on Display
Wück urged his players to showcase bravery and to ‘play without fear of making mistakes.’ This philosophy resonated well with the team. Giovanna Hoffmann made a strong debut at Wembley, assisting a goal, while Bühl’s technical skills shone through as she secured two goals. Returning player Linda Dallmann dazzled as a playmaker, showcasing agility and having a near miss with a long-range shot against England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Jule Brand again displayed her exceptional talent, though she struggled to convert promising plays into scores.
Balanced Performance with Room for Improvement
The defensive line maintained a high position, initially stifling England’s offensive strategies; however, they occasionally appeared vulnerable. Janina Minge, usually a midfielder, solidified the central defense, while veteran Sara Doorsoun displayed composure but had a critical misstep in the 40th minute that nearly allowed England to equalize. Although Doorsoun struggled at times, the absence of defensive leader Marina Hegering was palpable. Wück acknowledged the team’s transitional phase, stating, ‘We are in the finding phase. We have to make sure that we become a little more settled.’
The match’s dynamic shifted after the 33rd minute when Georgia Stanway converted a penalty, narrowing Germany’s lead to 3-1 following a handball by Gwinn. Just three minutes later, Stanway struck again to bring England within one goal. During this stretch, Germany’s defense faltered, committing errors that allowed England to capitalize. Unlike in past matches, where leaders like Alexandra Popp and Hegering took charge during stressful moments, such guidance seemed absent as the team faced adversity, making the halftime break a welcome reprieve.
A More Controlled Second Half
Wück made several substitutions in the second half, introducing players like Cerci, Rauch, Däbritz, and Wolter. The intensity waned compared to the first half, though Däbritz remained composed, converting another penalty in the 72nd minute to extend Germany’s lead to 4-2. However, a mistake by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger allowed Lucy Bronze to score for England, resulting in a nail-biting finish at 4-3.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, this match provided a thrilling experience for players, fans, and viewers alike. Germany celebrated their bronze medal win at the Olympics this past August, yet recent performances had shown a dip in entertainment value and creativity. Wück’s strategic vision appears to have resonated with the players, as he noted after the match: ‘The players did that today. We as a coaching team gave them a bit of input, but it was implemented on the pitch.’ The German squad delivered an impressive display on Wück’s debut, securing a hard-fought victory at Wembley.