Germany Defeat Slovakia to Advance by Chris Brown
Sunday June 26, 2016 – Germany and Slovakia met in Lille in the round of 16, knock out stage, of the European Championships on Sunday with the World Champions looking to progress to a meeting with Spain or Italy.
Slovakia beat Germany 3-1 the last time the two sides met in a friendly just a few weeks ago in Augsburg, in a tune up match for this tournament. On that night heavy rotation from Joachim Low and a torrential rainstorm meant that the Die Mannschaft were unable to play the style of football that has lead to so much of their success.
There were no problems with the weather this time and it didn’t take long for the Germans to open the scoring. In the 8th minute a Toni Kroos corner kick was poorly cleared out to the edge of the box but only as far as German center back Jerome Boateng. Boateng came charging to the edge of the box and struck the ball as it landed, sending a fizzing shot to the bottom left corner of the Slovakian goal, bulging the back of the net and putting the Germans in front.
Just four minutes later the Germans had a golden opportunity to go up 2-0 after Mario Gomez was fouled by Martin Skrtel in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. The decision to award the penalty seemed harsh and the yellow card that Skrtel picked up from it didn’t seem to fit the crime so early in the match.
Mesut Ozil stepped up to take the penalty but saw his shot saved by a diving Kozacik. The shot seemed casual from Ozil, not near enough to the post and at a height that’s easy for the keeper to save.
Germany dominated possession as expected throughout the first half, but unlike in some of their group games, they were a constant threat whenever they had the ball. The Germans played much more direct than in previous games and more like the Bayern Munich team that won the Champions League in 2013. Toni Kroos sent long diagonal balls over the top to great effect and stretched the field. The space created by Kroos’ pinpoint passing allowed players like Julian Draxler to take the ball in space and take on players one on one.
In the 43rd minute the Germans found the second goal of the match. Julian Draxler was able to get in behind the Slovakian defense and after making a clever move to get into the box, squared the ball to Mario Gomez who finished with a tap in.
Stade Pierre Mauroy, the venue for Round of 16 match between Germany and Slovakia in Lille. (Photo Credit: Asif Burhan)
In the second half Slovakia was able to draw fouls in the attacking half to create several dangerous free kick opportunities, but they were unable to capitalize on any of them.
Germany maintained their dominance in possession but Slovakia were able to keep the ball more than in the first half. The need to dig out of a two goal deficit opened the game up and it seemed like a matter of time before Germany would capitalize and score their third.
In the 63rd minute Germany did find their third goal through Julian Draxler. Thomas Muller won a corner kick and Toni Kroos sent the kick in. The ball in was deflected and the Slovakian zonal marking left Draxler all alone at the far post. Draxler had the space to calmly watch the ball drop after the deflection and volleyed the ball sweetly into the roof of Kozacik’s net to put the Germans up 3-0.
Joachim Low changed up his team knowing that victory was all but sealed. Lukas Podolski came on for Julian Draxler, evidence that Low felt that the three goal lead was safe. Benedict Howedes came on for Jerome Boateng in an effort to keep the Bayern Munich center backs calf healthy for the quarter finals, and Bastian Schweinsteiger came on for Sami Khedira as the German captain regains his fitness following a knee injury.
The Germans saw out the game with Slovakia offering little resistance. The result means Germany will face either Spain or Italy in the quarter finals next Saturday in what will surely be the tie of the tournament thus far.
If Germany faces Spain it will be a meeting of the past two World Cup champions and Spain hold the past two Euro titles. It would be a rematch of the 2008 Euro final and 2010 World Cup semi final, both won by Spain.
If Germany faces Italy it would be a rematch of the 2012 Euro semi final which Germany lost 2-1. Germany has never beaten the Italian team at a major tournament and with this Italian side being far from vintage, all of Germany will be hoping for a chance to face the Azzuri for a bit of revenge next Saturday.
