Impressive Germans move confidently into the quarter-finals of Euro 2022

Eight time European Champions Germany defeated favourites Spain 2-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium last night to secure top spot on Group B and maintain their unbeaten start to the tournament.

Germany were gifted an early goal when Spanish goalkeeper Sandro Panos poor clearance fell straight at the feet of Klara Buhl who netted with a low strike.

Germany doubled their lead when Alexandra Popp who only returned back to the side back in March after ten months out with a knee Injury, headed in a second.

The Wolfsburg striker had miss both the Euro’s in 2013 and 2017 with ankle injuries, but has already scored twice in the championships so far after scoring as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Denmark on Friday.

Spain who have suffered a double blow in the tournament with the reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas ruled out after suffering a ruptured ACL injury in training. Along with record goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso suffering a knee injury, losing both key players looks to have severely hampered the chances of Spain on winning the tournament.

Without both, the Spanish don’t look the threat that most people thought they would be and fell behind to the Germans inside three minutes after Panos’s clearance went straight to Buhl who had the simple task of scoring.

This was the second game running that Spain had started off badly after conceding against Finland within 50 seconds in their opening group game.

Spain had their chances to level but striker Garcia missed from a tight angle after taking the ball around German keeper Merle Frohms. Patricia Guijarro and Mariona Caldentey were also denied.

Despite the lions share of the possession, Germany doubled their lead with their second effort on goal when Popp glanced in a header from a Felicitas Rauch’s corner to put the game out of reach of Spain who suffered their first loss in 24 matches and still need to get a result against Denmark that will put them into second place in the group and qualification for the quarter finals.

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