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1/17
Marc-André ter Stegen, goal:
Marc-André ter Stegen's career tragedy is sometimes difficult to bear. He has been playing at a world-class level in Barcelona for ten years, but is only allowed into the German goal if Manuel Neuer, the other German world-class goalkeeper, happens to be missing injured, as was the case against France. The fact that Ter Stegen doesn't just throw away shows that, despite the individual toughness, he sees football as a team sport. Made a great save against France's century player Kylian Mbappé in the 25th minute. Showed once again that it doesn't really matter who is in the German goal: him or Neuer.
Photo: Olivier Chassignole / AFP
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2/17
Joshua Kimmich, defense:
Had the very unpleasant task of having to look after Mbappé's top class. If you take into account the fact that Mbappé cannot be defended, Kimmich did his job pretty well in the right-back position, which was rather unpleasant for him. The Munich player was still able to exert his influence on the German game: with clever chip balls behind the defense. On good days, Kimmich can be a playmaker at right back and an elevated full-back at the same time. This was such a good day.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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3/17
Jonathan Tah, defense:
What happened to the Leverkusen player this season under coach Xabi Alonso will have to be clarified at some point. In any case, Tah has never been seen in the national team as stable and self-confident as he is at the moment. Against France he was an aggressive tackler and a calming force at the same time. An enrichment.
Photo: Franck Fife / AFP
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4/17
Antonio Rüdiger, defense:
Recently, Rüdiger also appeared unsteady whenever he took off the Real Madrid jersey and put on the German one. But this time we saw the Madrid Rüdiger. Tactically clever and strong in duels. That's what it will take if the DFB team wants to play a successful European Championship.
Photo: Laurent Cipriani / AP
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5/17
Maximilian Mittelstädt, defense:
In the summer of 2023, the left-back was relegated to the second division with Hertha BSC. But because Mittelstädt has performed so well with VfB Stuttgart this season, national coach Julian Nagelsmann also trusted him with the national team. However, against France and especially against Ousmane Dembélé's speed and technique, Mittelstädt's defensive weaknesses became very clear. He almost scored a very strange own goal with his arm (88th). His strengths lie in the offensive: this was shown by his shot in the 78th minute, which almost made it 3-0.
Photo: Laurent Cipriani / AP
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6/17
Robert Andrich, midfield:
Starting eleven debut in the national team, and at the age of 29. But it was clear early in the game why the late Leverkusen player will probably remain a starting eleven for the time being. In the 17th minute, he cleared Mbappé so rustically but fairly that the Lyon audience whispered. These are the Andrich moments that are good for this team of otherwise very fine-footed kickers. Football smart is someone who knows what is the best solution for the team based on their own abilities on the field. Andrich only did the simple things. But extremely solid.
Photo: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
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7/17
Toni Kroos, midfield (up to 89th):
Toni Kroos' last international match was 998 days ago. But it only took him seconds to immediately feel at home again. His pass to Wirtz from the center circle immediately after kick-off initiated the fastest goal in German international history. From a somewhat withdrawn position (usually to the left of the central defense when in possession of the ball), Kroos gave order and structure to the German game. Good thing he's back.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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8/17
Waldemar Anton, defense (from 89th):
Had the big task of congratulating Toni Kroos on his outstanding performance when he was substituted shortly before the end. Made his DFB debut. Is considered a “worker,” and Nagelsmann has a lot of love for them lately.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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9/17
Florian Wirtz, midfield (until 71st):
No German national player had ever scored as quickly as Wirtz. Before the game, the Leverkusen player revealed in an interview with SPIEGEL that he wanted to finally become more dangerous after 14 international matches without scoring his own goal. Job done in eight seconds. With his dribbling strength, his deep runs and passes, Wirtz can give the German game a direction that has been missing so often recently. His flying ball under opponent pressure to Jamal Musiala before Kai Havertz made it 2-0 decided the game. Best player on the field.
Photo: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
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10/17
Chris Führich, midfield (from 71st):
The Stuttgart player's great strength is speed. Unfortunately, I couldn't really show this in the final phase.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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11/17
İlkay Gündoğan, midfield (up to 71):
In a slightly more offensive role than last, the captain should above all create the framework for the art of Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. As a result, his own art of organizing the game with short, clever passes is less noticeable. But Wirtz and Musiala were good for Gündoğan.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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12/17
Thomas Müller, midfield (from 71st):
Müller is only a substitute, or “role player”, as Nagelsmann calls it. The 34-year-old had one shot on goal against France. You will have to get used to him as a substitute. But you'll be glad you still have it.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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13/17
Jamal Musiala, midfield (until 80):
In the 61st minute, substitute Müller brought him a water bottle on the sideline. And you don't really need to know anything more about the new balance of power in the DFB team. Musiala is today what Müller was for Germany in 2010: an exciting ingredient that can change everything, a spatial interpreter, just with completely different technical skills. Musiala points with dribbling and receiving the ball. The way he used Wirtz's pass before making it 2-0 and laid it out for Havertz was extraordinary. Wirtz and Musiala, it could be a new German artist duo.
Photo: Laurent Cipriani / AP
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14/17
Niclas Füllkrug, attack (from 80th):
Came late, will be needed for other games with more defensive opponents.
Photo: Laurent Cipriani / AP
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15/17
Kai Havertz, attack (until 80):
The biggest affront to him was the remote-controlled mini-car that transported the ball to the kick-off point. It simply ran over Havertz's foot. Havertz took revenge with lots of intense sprints, a lot of hard work and a goal from a penalty area striker to make it 2-0. Germany may not have a real, outstanding penalty area striker. And that could become a problem against deeper opponents. But the DFB team at least has an outstanding half-forward in Havertz.
Photo: Benoit Tessier / REUTERS
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16/17
Deniz Undav, attack (from 80th):
The Stuttgart player made his DFB debut and only needed seconds for his first shot on goal. Has an exciting profile because he can play in the center of the attack and on the ten. This should increase his chances at the European Championships.
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa
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17/17
Julian Nagelsmann, coach:
Exactly a year ago to the day, the 36-year-old was given a leave of absence from FC Bayern. It is still unclear how long the national coaching chapter will last. But his plan against France with the three tens Wirtz, Musiala and Gündoğan, the returnee Kroos and Andrich as their fighting cock and Havertz in the attack worked. The 2-0 win against the 2018 world champion was the first really convincing international match under Nagelsmann. Even though Germany often does well against caliber players like France, it was a big step towards more confidence for the home European Championships. Nagelsmann's next problem is likely to be: Where to go with Leroy Sané once he has served his ban?
Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa