They've only played two matches, but Germany stunningly find themselves on the outside looking up at a Euro 2016 qualifying spot in Group D. They've slipped all the way down to fourth after suffering a stunning 2-0 upset at the hands of Poland, who are now top of arguably the competition's toughest group.
Poland vs. Germany, Euro 2016 qualifying: Final score 2-0, World Cup champions stunned
Alexander Hassenstein
The Germans were well on top throughout the first half, though they didn’t create too many chances. Karim Bellarabi was their most dangerous player in his debut, and should have scored before halftime. He missed just wide with a great chance in the 38th minute, then forced Wojciech Szczesny into an excellent save just before the break.
But it was Poland who struck first, netting the opening goal in the 52nd minute. Arkadiusz Milik -- a 20-year-old splitting his time between Ajax’s senior and reserve teams -- scored it with a stunning header, assisted by a Lukasz Piszczek cross and inadvertently by Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had no business coming off his line.
That woke up the Germans, who were all over Poland for the rest of the match, but Szczesny was at his best. Immediately after the goal, he came up with big stops on Andre Schürrle and Mario Götze. His best save of the night came in the 79th minute, when he made a spectacular diving stop on a hard shot by Bellarabi.
Substitute Lukas Podolski thought he had the equalizer when he was left unmarked 12 yards from goal in the 81st minute and unleashed a volley that had his club teammate beat, but the Arsenal man’s shot hit the crossbar and flew up into the air.
With Germany throwing everyone forward late -- striker Max Kruse came on for defender Antonio Rüdiger in the 83rd minute -- there was space at the back for Poland to exploit, and they took advantage. In the 88th minute, Robert Lewandowski held the ball up and cut back for substitute Sebastian Mila, who finished from the center of the box to secure all three points for the underdogs.
Poland: Szczesny, Wawrzyniak (Jedrzejczyk 84’), Gilk, Szukala, Piszczek, Rybus, Jodlowiec, Krychowiak, Grosicki (Sobota 71’), Lewandowski, Milik (Mila 77’)
Goals: Milik (51’), Mila (88’)
Germany: Neuer, Durm, Hummels, Boateng, Rüdiger (Kruse 83’), Kroos, Kramer (Draxler 71’), Schürrle (Podolski 77’), Götze, Bellarabi, Müller
Goals: None.
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