Florian Wirtz netted his first international goal as a clinical Germany side overcame France 2-0 in a confidence-boosting win ahead of hosting EURO 2024.

• Six uncapped players in latest Germany squad
• Who are Germany's Stuttgart contingent?
• Who is Aleksandar Pavlović?
• Who is Jan-Niklas Beste?
• Pavlović, Mathys Tel and Bayern's best up-and-comers
• Who is Mathys Tel?
• The best French players in Bundesliga history
• Germany release jerseys for Euro 2024
• Euro 2024 in Germany explained!

France 0-2 Germany
Goals: 0-1 Wirtz 1’ (assist: Kroos), 0-2 Havertz 49’ (assist: Musiala)

Germany enjoyed a dream start as they scored inside the first 10 seconds after catching France napping. Toni Kroos’ long ball forward from kick-off found the unmarked Wirtz 30 yards from goal in a central position. It was an invitation the in-form Bayer Leverkusen attacker was not going to turn down, and he strode forward to the edge of the box before smashing in past France goalkeeper Brice Samba. Julian Nagelsmann’s side remained in control for a while, albeit without seriously testing Samba again, but midway through the half France began to shift through the gears and created chances for Marcus Thuram, Dayot Upamecano, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Jamal Musiala reminded the hosts that they needed to remain on their guard after ghosting behind the defence to receive a Joshua Kimmich pass, but Upamecano scuttled over to block.

Germany struck early in the second half too, with what proved to be the knockout blow. Wirtz picked out another elusive Musiala run, and this time there was no stopping the Bayern playmaker as he dribbled around Samba and pulled the ball back for Kai Havertz to stroke in from close range. Dembélé curled an effort wide as France tried to muster a response, with Aurélien Tchouaméni dragging a shot off target moments later. That was about as good as it got for the 2022 World Cup runners-up, with Germany going closest to adding to the scoreline in the closing stages. Maximilian Mittelstädt saw his goal-bound shot well saved, while substitutes Thomas Müller and Deniz Undav were thwarted by Samba in quick succession, preventing a well-deserved victory by an even higher margin.

Watch: Every Florian Wirtz goal and assist in the Bundesliga

Match stats

• This was Germany’s 12th victory in 34 total encounters with France.
• Kroos, Manuel Neuer and Müller all started Germany’s 1-0 victory over France in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup on the way to winning the tournament – and remain in the current squad.
• Kroos is ninth on Germany’s list of most-capped players (107) but is behind the Bayern pair of Neuer (117) and Müller (124).
• Wirtz's goal was his first at senior international level. 
• Nagelsmann coached French defenders Upamecano and Lucas Hernández at Bayern (in addition to Neuer, Müller, Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich).
• Stuttgart trio Undav, Mittelstädt and Waldemar Anton all made their Germany debuts in this game. 

Teams

France: Samba - Koundé (Clauss 60'), Pavard, Upamecano, L. Hernández (T. Hernández 61') - Zaïre-Emery (Camavinga 61'), Tchouaméni (Fofana 74'), Rabiot - Dembélé (Kolo Muani 84'), Thuram (Giroud 61'), Mbappé (c)
Unused subs: Areola, Maignan, Konaté, Saliba, Diaby, Guendouzi
Out: Coman (knee), Nkunku (thigh), Griezmann (ankle)
Coach: Didier Deschamps 

Germany: Ter Stegen - Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Mittelstädt - Kroos (Anton 89'), Andrich - Wirtz (Führich 72'), Gündoğan (c) (Müller 72'), Musiala (Füllkrug 80') - Havertz (Undav 80')
Unused subs: Baumann, Leno, Henrichs, Koch, Raum, Groß, Beier
Out: Beste (groin), Hofmann (hip), Klostermann (thigh), Neuer (groin), Pavlović (tonsilitis), Sané (suspended)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

As it happened!

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!