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Double goal scorer Klara Bühl

Photo: Beautiful Sports / Wunderl / IMAGO

The German women's national soccer team won 3:2 (1:2) in Austria at the start of the European Championship qualification. Eileen Campbell gave the hosts the lead in Linz with two goals (9th minute/16th). Klara Bühl scored twice for Germany (39th/49th), Giulia Gwinn scored the winning goal with a penalty kick (63rd).

On Tuesday the German team will meet Iceland in Aachen (6:10 p.m.; TV: ZDF). Poland is also one of the opponents in qualifying group A2. The top two in the group qualify directly for the 2025 tournament in Switzerland, while the third and fourth placed teams have to go to the playoffs.

“We have initiated a bit of something and are in the middle of it,” interim national coach Horst Hrubesch said before the game, referring to the personnel changes in the German team. Hrubesch was literally forced to do this in Austria: Sara Däbritz left early due to an adductor strain, captain Alexandra Popp and defense chief Marina Hegering were not even called up due to injuries. Hrubesch also had to do without Svenja Huth, who surprisingly resigned from the national team.

The Austrians started confidently against the favored DFB team, who had problems with the opponent's pressing from the start. This was also the case with the first goal conceded: Sara Doorsoun's attempt to clear the ball was blocked by Austria's Campbell. With a little luck and a lot of determination, the SC Freiburg striker prevailed against Kathrin Hendrich and scored from a few meters to take the lead (9th). After a free kick, it was again Campbell who evaded her opponents in the six-yard box and headed it in (16').

As the game went on, Germany got into the game better. Sjoeke Nüsken from Chelsea underlined her excellent form and scored twice (21st/30th). Nüsken was also involved in the goal. The ball landed via the 23-year-old to Bühl, who made it 1-2 with a well-placed right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area (39').

Controversial penalty for Germany

In the second half, it was the German team that got off to a perfect start: Nüsken passed through to Bühl, and the FC Bayern attacker finished flat into the far corner from a half-left position (49'). This time not with her right foot, but with her equally strong left foot.

Before the 3:2, it was Nüsken again who sent Laura Freigang into the penalty area. The substitute offensive player tried to pass the ball past ÖFB goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, fell in the process and was lucky that the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Gwinn, DFB captain for the first time, safely converted the penalty (63').

Austria remained dangerous offensively, but Germany had the better chances. Freigang failed from close range to Zinsberger (74').

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