Florian Wirtz scored Germany’s fastest international goal in only seven seconds on Saturday, leading the Euro 2024 hosts to a 2-0 friendly victory over France, their first in four games.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was hoping for a strong start to the year ahead of the tournament on home soil in June, and he got it.
Wirtz startled the French with his long-range strike for his first international goal, which came off a well-practiced play and pass from Toni Kroos, who returned from a three-year international retirement.
The goal was a few hundredths of a second faster than the previous German record, Lukas Podolski’s seventh-second goal against Ecuador in 2013.
The hosts eventually gained control, and in the 26th minute, Kylian Mbappé pulled a fantastic stop from Germany’s Marc-André ter Stegen to maintain their advantage.
“We had a very good start and the kickoff was planned exactly that way. It was important to protect the lead and after the break, we improved further and carved out more chances. I am very satisfied with the way we fought. It is what we wish, to give it all every time. We got a confidence boost from this game. We are on a good path and played a very good game today.” Germany’s Nagelsmann said.
France attempted for an equalizer through Ousmane Dembélé and Adrien Rabiot, but it was the Germans who struck again, under pressure to improve after only two wins in their last ten games before Saturday.
They extended their lead early in the second half when Wirtz crossed to Jamal Musiala, who cut back for Kai Havertz to complete the play.
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