France 0-2 Germany: Florian Wirtz nets Germany's fastest ever international goal as Julian Nagelsmann's men defeat hosts

Florian Wirtz scored Germany's fastest international goal in seven seconds as the Euro 2024 hosts defeated France 2-0 in a friendly on Saturday, earning their first win in four games.

Julian Nagelsmann, Germany's coach, was desperate for a good start to the year before the tournament on home soil in June, and he got it.

Wirtz surprised the French with his long-range effort for his first international goal, which followed a well-practiced move 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 strike against Ecuador in 2013.

The hosts gradually gained control, and Kylian Mbappe forced a fine save from Germany's Marc Andre ter Stegen in the 26th minute to maintain their lead.

"We had a very good start and the kickoff was planned exactly that way," Germany's Nagelsmann said.

"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."

France pushed for an equaliser through Ousmane Dembele and Adrien Rabiot, but it was the Germans, who were under pressure to improve after only two wins in their previous ten games, who scored again.

They doubled their lead early in the second half when Wirtz crossed to Jamal Musiala, who cut back for Kai Havertz to finish the move.

France ran out of ideas in the second half, and it took until late in the game for substitute Olivier Giroud to miss two chances before Germany defender Antonio Rudiger hit his own post while attempting to clear a ball.

"We weren't there, that's obvious," said France coach Didier Deschamps after his 150th game in charge. "The Germans played a high level match today. When we see our start to the match, with this goal, we are standing still.

"The Germans did things better than us. In terms of commitment and aggression, we were below. The first person to blame is me," he added.

Germany play the Netherlands on Tuesday, while France face Chile.

SportsLigue