Challenge between two superpowers: the Blues win by an own goal but dominate the game and see two goals canceled by the Var
the race
A beautiful France conquers Munich, defeating Germany with merit and immediately confirming its role as favorite in this European championship. Race almost always in the hands of the transalpines: after a balanced start (heavy, however, the yellow remedied by the German Kimmich after only 6 ‘) the bleues increase the engine revs and around 15’ scare Germany three times: first Pavard breaks through on the right and crosses in the center for Benzema anticipated by a whisker, then Pogba raises his head just above the crossbar on the development of a corner kick and finally Neuer saves on an insidious shot by Mbappè from the edge. The advantage of the World Champions, however, is now in the air: at 19 ‘Pogba cuts the field with a brilliant pitch for Hernandez who crosses from the left, forcing Hummels to make a desperate but clumsy rescue attempt on Mbappè ready to hit the net. It is an own goal and France are deservedly ahead.
Better France in the middle of the field with Pogba, Kantè and Rabiot and the heavy attack trio (with the return to the team after 5 years of Benzema) but Germany does not stand by and at half time they earn two free kicks from the limit that Kroos does not manages to materialize. France, which controls and starts again quickly, continues to be frightening: in the 35th minute Mbappé sows the German defense and only a desperate rescue by Ginter in the corner avoids the doubling. Curious episode at the end of the first fraction, protagonists Rudiger and Pogba, old acquaintances of Italian football. The French former Juventus midfielder complained to the referee and linesman for having, according to him, suffered a bite on the back by the German former Roma defender. The cameras actually seem to capture a strange movement of Ruediger on Pogba’s back but no action taken.
We start again and France, beautiful but a little narcissistic, immediately tries to close the accounts: Rabiot’s pole in the 51st minute after an overwhelming tear. Two minutes later Gnabry, up to that moment opaque, shoots and just flies over the crossbar. Germany more determined: in the 56th minute Lloris saves out on Gnabry. As the minutes went by, the French restarts became more sporadic: the bands of the Germans began to work, especially with Kimmich on the right. In the 66th minute, in full forcing by Germany, the Var canceled a superfine goal by the unleashed Mbappé due to a millimeter offside. At 85 ‘the Var saves Germany again by canceling a goal from Benzema for another offside. Loew tries them all: inside the fourth striker Volland. Counter move by Deschamps that inserts the median Tolisso. Tense and hard-fought final, but Germany no longer manages to make itself dangerous. –