Young Germany face first big test
Raheem’s hat-trick floors Czechs, France sweep past Moldova
Berlin, March 23: Marco Reus has called on Germany to win back the trust of their fans when they launch their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against old rivals the Netherlands on Sunday.
Germany were booed by fans in Wolfsburg during their 1-1 friendly draw against Serbia last Wednesday, and Reus has said that it is up to the players to change the mood.
“We need patience from the fans, but it is our job to make sure the atmosphere improves,” he said on Friday.
Germany have not won a competitive game since they beat Sweden at the World Cup last summer. They crashed out of the World Cup shortly after that game, and were relegated from the top tier of the Uefa Nations League in the autumn.
Coach Joachim Loew declared the beginning of a “new era” last week, having brought in several young players and made the controversial
call to drop three experienced stars in Thomas Mueller, Mats Hummels and Jerome England’s Raheem Sterling (right) celebrates after scoring his third goal against the Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 Group A qualification match at the Wembley Stadium in London on Friday. Paris, March 23: Raheem Sterling showed that he is coming of age on the international stage as his hattrick saw England start their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign by hammering the Czech Republic 5-0, while Antoine Griezmann inspired France to a battering of Moldova.
Manchester City attacker Sterling had scored just two goals in his first 45 caps, but he now has five in his last three international appearances following Friday’s treble, which helped England storm to the top of Group A ahead of Monday’s trip to Montenegro, who drew 1-1 at Bulgaria.
Sterling opened the scoring in the 24th minute when he tapped home Jadon Sancho’s cross, and struck twice more in the second half to put the result beyond doubt after Harry Kane fired home his 21st England goal from the penalty spot.
Sterling has 24 goals for club and country this term and his impressive form is a fry cry from the dark days when he was vilified as England crashed out of Euro 2016.
England carried the momentum from a run to the World Cup semi-finals and qualification for the last four of the Nations League into the Euro qualifiers and blooded young hopeful Sancho, who impressed on his full England debut.
GRIEZMANN SHINES FOR FRANCE France also got off to a perfect start after an older head in Antoine Griezmann spurred the world champions on to a comfortable 4-1 0 0
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victory at Moldova.
Griezmann opened the scoring with his 27th France goal in the 24th minute of their Group H encounter before crossing for Raphael Varane to double the scores three minutes later.
Olivier Giroud equalled David Trezeguet as Les Bleus’ third highest scorer of all time with his 34th international goal nine minutes before the break and Kylian Mbappe completed the rout with three minutes left, before Vladimir Ambros claimed a late consolation for Moldova.
Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank on his return to international football after nine months away, as Ukraine battled to a goalless draw in Lisbon.
The draw was the first time Santos’ side have failed to score at home in 19 matches and leaves them second in the group behind Luxembourg, beat Lithuania 2-1. who