Germany vs. Ukraine ended 2-0 in favor of Die Mannschaft in Group C, with Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger baggin the goals. The result sees Germany leapfrog Poland, who beat Northern Ireland earlier, into first place. It wasn't a vintage performance from Germany, and Ukraine were a little unlucky not to equalize in the first half, but the Germans stayed strong and ground out the victory.
Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrate victory over the Ukraine. Photo: @FCBayernEN | Twitter
Germany were without Mats Hummels and Bastian Schweinsteiger, while Ukraine named a pretty much full strength lineup, with Andrey Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka set to be Ukraine's biggest threats. World Cup final hero Mario Gotze started up front for Die Mannschaft, despite not receiving much playing time at Bayern Munich.
Germany started as the more threatening team, but the first real chance actually fell to Ukraine as Yevhen Konoplyanka forced a good save from Manuel Neuer. Clearly, Ukraine were not about to let Germany have it all their own way.
Germany dominated possession as you would expect them to, but Ukraine looked dangerous on the counter, with their flying wingers taking advantage of the space behind the fullbacks. However, it would be Germany who took the lead in the 18th minute as a Toni Kroos freekick found Shkodran Mustafi, who powered the header in at the far post.
Nobody was surprised to see Germany take the lead, but it was disappointing for Ukraine, who had made a bright start. They very nearly equalized minutes later, as Yevhen Khacheridi's header from a corner called Manuel Neuer into a brilliant reaction save.
Toni Kroos was playing like a man possessed, and he put Khedira through moments later with a world-class ball, only for Pyatov to deny him at point-blank range. Ukraine then had a golden chance moments later, only to be denied by a wonderful goal-line clearance from Jerome Boateng. The ball was then in the net moments later, but it was correctly ruled offside.
Ukraine finished the half as the stronger team as Germany struggled to handle their pace and directness, and with all the chances they had, they must have been wondering what they had to do to equalize.
Germany started the second half the stronger. Julian Draxler saw his long-range effort parried by Pyatov, while Toni Kroos came close with an effort of his own just skimming the crossbar.
Germany slowed the game down in an attempt to wrest back control in the game. Khedira again tested Pyatov, this time with a shot from outside the box that the goalkeeper did well to reach. Ukraine, deprived of the space they enjoyed in the first half, struggled to maintain the pressure they had built in the first half.
Germany remained patient and established a rhythm that made it almost impossible for Ukraine to establish themselves. Their endless metronomic passing aimed to keep the ball away from Ukraine, thereby neutralizing their threat, and it worked. Ukraine couldn't find an outlet ball as Germany pressed higher up the pitch and it took away a lot of their threat on the flanks.
In truth, the second half was quite a boring affair, as Die Mannschaft slowly and confidently killed off the game. Ukraine huffed and puffed, but they just couldn't see enough of the ball to cause Germany any problems. Germany had a few half-chances, but they seemed hesitant to make the killer blow.
That is until a breathtaking counter-attack in the 92nd minute, that started with a clearance by Shkodran Mustafi, fell to Mesut Ozil who hit a peach of a cross towards substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Manchester United man made no mistake in finishing it off.
Ukraine will feel hard-done-by, but they impressed at times and should get out of the group easily. Germany weren't offensively explosive, but they were incredibly dominant. There are definitely some questions marks over their defensive positioning at times, but they should still make a deep run in this tournament.
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