England and Germany played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the UEFA Nations League (UNL), meaning the Three Lions remain unbeaten in the last four H2Hs.
With England already relegated and Germany unable to reach the UNL finals, pride and a lift ahead of the FIFA World Cup (WC) were on offer at Wembley Stadium. The first scare for either side was of Nick Pope’s own doing as his clearance was blocked by Jamal Musiala, although the goalkeeper was let off by İlkay Gündoğan striking over the crossbar. Pope’s quick reaction prevented a disaster for the Three Lions in the 21st minute, seeing him beat Jonas Hofmann to clear John Stones’ casual backpass.
Luke Shaw’s searching pass released Raheem Sterling soon after, but having earned himself space, he was denied by Marc-André ter Stegen. This seemed to give the hosts a lift and Harry Kane came agonisingly close with an audacious volley. There was a blow for Gareth Southgate in the 35th minute, though, as John Stones pulled up injured clutching his hamstring. Musiala had been Die Mannschaft’s brightest player in the first half, and that continued into the second period as he intercepted Harry Maguire’s pass and lured the defender into conceding a penalty that Gündoğan calmly converted.
Kai Havertz scored a superb German second to silence Wembley, curling a brilliant effort in off the post. Shaw finally got England on the scoresheet, latching onto Reece James’ cross and hitting a shot that squirmed under Ter Stegen. Miraculously, the Three Lions were back on level terms just three minutes later as Bukayo Saka teed up fellow substitute Mason Mount, who clinically finished.
England were awarded a penalty after Jude Bellingham was fouled having beaten Nico Schlotterbeck to the ball, and Kane emphatically smashed his penalty into the top corner to mark his 50th game as Three Lions captain with what he thought was the winner. However, Pope spilled Serge Gnabry’s strike into the path of Gnabry, leaving England winless in the UNL campaign. Meanwhile, Germany avoided back-to-back defeats having been unbeaten before this international window.