England lose grip to draw Germany 3-3 in Nations League
England had a much-improved performance in their final game before they leave for the Qatar World Cup in November, but in the end it wasn’t enough.
Gareth Southgate’s substitutions inspired an incredible comeback from England, but Nick Pope’s mistake handed Germany a draw in the Nations League.
England went into Monday night’s game in their worst form since before Southgate took over as manager, with real pressure mounting on him for the first time.
Last week’s loss to Italy had seen them get relegated from the Nations League top group, after failing to win their opening five games.
The match against Germany was to be their last before the World Cup, and they were in need of a huge boost, having only scored once from open play in recent games.
The hosts had slightly the better of the first half, with Luke Shaw’s excellent ball creating the best chance for Raheem Sterling, but the teams went into the break at 0-0.
It was Germany who took the lead in the 52nd minutes after Harry Maguire, selected despite lots of criticism, gave away a penalty with a sloppy challenge on Jamal Musiala.
Luke Shaw pulled one back for the Euro 2020 finalists, his first international goal since that final 15 months ago against Italy, kicking off a mad spell.
Subs Bukayo Saka and Masoun Mount combined for the second, the Chelsea man scoring the equaliser, after incredible work from the Arsenal winger.
Harry Kane then netted the third from the penalty spot, after Jude Bellingham was fouled on the edge of the box, by Borussia Dortmund teammate Nico Schlotterbeck.
If Southgate and the players, thought they’d finally get their win they were very much mistaken, with Hans Flick’s side still having seven minutes of normal time to get an equaliser of their own.
They only needed four, with Havertz doubling his tally for the night in the 87th minute, but it was all down to a keeping error from Nick Pope.
Serge Gnabry shot from outside the area, and it looked a relatively simple save for the keeper, but the Burnley number one was only able to parry the ball back into Havertz path, with the Chelsea forward tapping in for the equaliser.
The Newcastle United number one was only deputising in goal due to Jordan Pickford’s injury, though it may still inspire some, especially Arsenal fans, to call for Aaron Ramsdale’s inclusion in the starting lineup.
Fans mad at Nick Pope
England fans savagely slammed Nick Pope following his blunder against Germany in their Nations League clash on Monday.
He fumbled Serge Gnabry’s long range shot and spilled the ball into the path of Havertz, who poked home from close range.
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