Joshua Kimmich's stoppage-time penalty secured Germany a 3-3 draw against Ukraine. - © IMAGO/Schüler
Joshua Kimmich's stoppage-time penalty secured Germany a 3-3 draw against Ukraine. - © IMAGO/Schüler
Germany recover to take late draw with Ukraine
UEFA Euro 2024 hosts Germany came back to secure an entertaining 3-3 draw with Ukraine at Werder Bremen's Weserstadion thanks to a late Kai Havertz goal and Joshua Kimmich penalty.
- Artem Zaloha: From Ukraine war to German youth title
- Borussia Dortmund and Dynamo Kyiv raise €400,000 to support war victims
- Ukraine national team beat Borussia Mönchengladbach in charity friendly
- Refugees from Ukraine trained with Dortmund
As it happened!
3 - 3
(1 - 2)
Germany
FINAL
Ukraine
Friendly
International International Weserstadion, Bremen
International International Weserstadion, Bremen
90'
+ 4
Full time! Germany 3-3 Ukraine
Germany and Ukraine share six goals in their charity match in Bremen. Germany started well, Marius Wolf scoring inside six minutes, but Ukraine made the most of three individual errors to take a 3-1 lead. However, Germany found a way back as substitute Kai Havertz cut the deficit before winning a last-gasp penalty that Joshua Kimmich stuck away with aplomb. A fantastic cause, though Germany would doubtless have liked to mark their 1000th international fixture with a win. The Euro 2024 hosts are next in action on Friday against Poland.
Full-time
90'
Added time
Three minutes in Bremen. Germany have the ball in the Ukraine half...
90'
Kimmich levels for Germany!
Superb penalty by the Germany captain, right into the bottom corner. Trubin went the right way, but that was just too precise.
89'
Penalty!
Havertz controls a cross from the left and turns towards goal, before being bumped overby Sobol. The referee points straight to the spot...
84'
Hofmann!
Sane wriggles clear of two yellow shirts and slides a ball into the six-yard box for Hofmann, whose improvised flick is blocked behind. Is this Germany turning the screw?
82'
Germany pull one back!
Havertz gets a head to Rüdiger's long ball into the Ukraine area. He watches it drop behind his rather disorientated marker and calmly slots past the goalkeeper. It's unorthodox, but they all count!
78'
Substitution
77'
Close!
Musiala works his magic in a centeal area, before shifting the ball into the feet of Sane, who fires narrowly wide of the upright. That was more like it from Flick's men!
75'
Trapp makes the save!
Mudryk slips in Zubkov, who's denied at close quarters by Trapp. Ukraine have been so effective in attack.
74'
Half chance!
A Kimmich corner is cleared back to the Bayern man. He finds Rüdiger with his next attempt, but his shot doesn't find the target.
71'
No hat-trick for Tsygankov
The Girona-based attacker makes way to warm applause after scoring twice in Bremen.
71'
Like-for-like Germany changes
No doubting the quality running through the Germany ranks as Henrichs and Wirtz enter the fray - but what is Flick's optimal formula?
71'
Substitution
71'
Substitution
67'
Relief for Raum!
Raum loses out in his own half, but puts in a strong recovery challenge to divert another counter.
64'
Fresh legs
Triple change for Ukraine. Yarmolenko, in particular, worked his socks off.
64'
Substitution
64'
Substitution
62'
Attacking changes
Two players with 12 Bundesliga goals apiece this past season are on for Germany. Can they provide the spark the hosts are lacking?
62'
Substitution
62'
Substitution
59'
Changes on the cards
Musiala and Hofmann are stripped and ready for action, the Bundesliga duo receiving their final instructions from the coaching team.
55'
Ukraine extend lead!
Ukraine are celebrating, but it's another gift of a goal. Ginter miscontrols in his own area, allowing Dovbyk to pounce. He stares down Trapp, before laying it off for Tsygankov to stroke in his second of the game from close range.
50'
As you were
Germany continue to dictate the rhythm, but Ukraine are giving precious little away after their somewhat shaky start.
46'
Double change to start the second half
Bremen's Füllkrug and Dortmund's Schlotterbeck make way for Germany. Leipzig's Klostermann and ex-Leverkusen starlet Havertz are on as Flick attempts to plot a way back into the contest.
46'
Substitution
46'
Substitution
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2
Half time! Germany 1-2 Ukraine
Germany got off to the perfect start through Wolf's first international goal, but errors allowed Ukraine back in and the visitors didn't mess about when the chances came. Expect changes from Flick...
Half-time
45'
+ 2
Off the bar!
Almost the equaliser on the stroke of half time. Stepanenko upends Kimmich just outside the Ukraine area, but Sane's ensuing free-kick comes back off the crossbar. Superb dip on that - what technique!
45'
Time added on
Two additional minutes in Bremen. Plenty of food for thought for Flick and the Euro 2024 hosts...
43'
Chance!
Yarmolenko receives the ball in the Germany area. The former Dortmund forward does really well to hold off Schlotterbeck and back-heel a pass into the six-yard box. Tymchyk is first to it, but doesn't catch the ball cleanly and skews into the side netting.
37'
Tale of the tape
Germany are averaging 77 percent possession and finding a mark with 91 percent of their attempted passes, but have scored just once from five efforts on goal. Ukraine are two from two...
32'
Better call Jamal
For all their possession, Germany are not finding much attacking joy like they did in the early exchanges. This feels like the kind of game Musiala could influence with his quick feet and smarts. The Bayern teenager, who decided the title race as a late substitute on the final day of 2022/23, is on the bench.
27'
Goretzka!
Brilliant first-time hit by the Bayern midfielder. It's swerving away from Trubin, who is unmoved, but whistles just past the upright. That would have been some goal!
22'
Ukraine lead!
The Ukraine supporters at the Weser-Stadion are on their feet again. It's another sloppy concession of the ball by Germany as Schlotterbeck and Raum get in a muddle in their own half. The visitors take full advantage, with Mudryk's deflected finish finishing a swift break.
19'
Ukraine equalise!
Out nothing, Germany are pegged back. Brandt's pass in the final third is a loose one, prompting a Ukraine break. Tsygankov gets the right side of Rüdiger as he receives the ball from Tymchyk and shows tremendous composure to find the far corner from inside the Germany box. There was a quick VAR check, but he'd timed his run to perfection.
16'
Germany asking more questions
Ukraine have nine players back defending their own box as Germany threaten a second goal. Dortmund duo Wolf and Brandt combine in an attempt to free Sane, but the final pass has just too much on it and Trubin is able to gather.
11'
Side netting!
Germany come again as Füllkrug lays a brilliantly weighted pass into the feet of Wolf. He's in behind and threads the ball across the six-yard box for Raum, who finds the side netting from a tight angle.
10'
Germany in the mood
Volume levels go up a notch as Brandt tries to get on the end of a ball into the box, but Trubin beats him to it. Germany have a real spring in their step...
6'
Germany lead!
Marius Wolf opens the scoring to cap a fine start. Kimmich is the architect with a trademark ball into the opposition area, where Wolf controls well before jinking into space and firing home with the aid of a deflection.
4'
Composed start
Flick's team are in complete control. The hosts are passing the ball with supreme confidence, and pressing Ukraine high up the pitch whenever they're not in possession.
1'
Füllkrug chance!
Rüdiger forces an error from Mudryk, who passes straight to Füllkrug in front of the Ukraine goal. The Bremen striker tries to steer it round the advancing Trubin, but misses the bottom corner by a whisker.
1'
Under way!
Germany kick off their 1000th international fixture, playing from right to left.
Kick-off!
The anthems
The end of Ukraine's 'Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy i slava, i volia' ('State anthem of Ukraine') was met by warm applause. Germany's follows, before the captains Kimmich and Yarmolenko exchange customary pre-match pleasantries.
In the tunnel
The teams are getting ready to step out onto the pitch in Bremen. Germany will be in their traditional white shirts with black shorts, Ukraine in yellow with blue trim...
2:46
Watch: Germany behind Ukraine
Blue skies over Bremen
The Weser-Stadion is filling up nicely on what is a glorious evening in Bremen, where temperatures are pushing 30C.
More on those teams
Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger is the only non-Bundesliga player in Hansi Flick's starting XI. Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp is in goal, with Dortmund pair Nico Schlotterbeck and Julian Brandt, and Bayern's Leroy Sane the other changes to the March friendly loss to Belgium. Timo Werner is only fit enough for a place on the bench alongside the likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Former Dortmund forward Andriy Yarmolenko captains Ukraine.
Germany starting line-up
Trapp - Rüdiger, Ginter, Schlotterbeck - Wolf, Kimmich (c), Goretzka, Raum - Sane, Füllkrug, Brandt
Germany subs
Leno, ter Stegen, Henrichs, Kehrer, Klostermann, Thiaw, Can, Havertz, Hofmann, Musiala, Wirtz, Werner
Ukraine starting line-up
Trubin - Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Matviienko, Mykolenko - Stepanenko, Tsygankov, Yarmolenko (c), Sudakov, Mudryk - Dovbyk
Ukraine subs
Bushchan Lunin, Bondar, Konoplia, Sobol, Svatok, Ignatenko, Malinovskyi, Pikhalionok, Sydorchuk, Zubkov, Vanat
1:25
Watch: All Füllkrug's goals in 2022/23
Watch: The best of the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign
Germany probable XI
Ter Stegen - Ginter, Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck - Hofmann, Kimmich (c), Goretzka, Raum - Sane, Füllkrug, Musiala
Also in Germany squad
Brandt, Can, Ginter, Havertz, Henrichs, Hofmann, Kehrer, Klostermann, Leno, Raum, Thiaw, Trapp, Wirtz, Wolf
Germany: out
Gnabry (ankle), Gosens (Champions League final), Gündogan (Champions League final), Schade (muscular)
Ukraine probable XI
Trubin - Zabarnyi, Svatok, Matvienko, Mykolenko - Stepanenko (c), Ihnatenko - Malinovskyi, Sudakov, Mudryk - Yaremchuk
Germany latest
With their place already assured at next year's tournament, Germany have a series of warm-up games on the calendar to keep them sharp in their bid for glory, with matches against Poland (16 June) and Colombia (20 June) also on the horizon this month. Head coach Hansi Flick announced recently that he will no longer be sending his side out with a back four, but will instead play with a three-man rearguard. "We want to put our upcoming opponents under pressure with a lot of attacking power via the wings, while at the same time be compact in defence with three at the back," said the 58-year-old. "We've got a lot of options to do that in our squad." Germany will be without Bayern Munich attacker Serge Gnabry due to an ankle issue, while Timo Werner is a doubt after sustaining a foot injury in RB Leipzig's DFB Cup final triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt, meaning Bremen forward Niclas Füllkrug - who ended the 2022/23 season as joint-top scorer on 16 goals - could lead the line in his home stadium. Midfielder Ilkay Gündogan will join up with the squad at a later date given his involvement in the UEFA Champions League final with Manchester City. Borussia Dortmund teenaged striker Youssoufa Moukoko and VfB Stuttgart right-back Josha Vagnoman are late call-ups for this fixture from the Euros-bound U21s.
Ukraine latest
Ukraine also have three matches lined up this month, but have a more immediate need to hit top form after losing their first European Championship qualifying match 2-0 against England in March. In a tough Group C that also includes reigning champions Italy, the forthcoming meetings with North Macedonia (16 June) and Malta (19 June) could go a long way to determining their presence at Euro 2024. Ruslan Rotan was in charge in a caretaker capacity after Oleksandr Petrakov's departure in January, before the Ukrainian FA announced the appointment of former forward Serhiy Rebrov on 7 June. He is likely to lean heavily on the team's star player, Chelsea attacker Mykhailo Mudryk, for creative inspiration, while Roman Yaremchuk should lead the line. Versatile left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko misses out, however, with a calf complaint.
4:49
Watch: All of Musiala's goals and assists in 2022/23
Tactical switch
© Eibner-Pressefoto/Thomas Boecker/DFB via EIBNER/Sa
Milestone match
This will be the 1,000th game in Germany's history. Of the team's 999 matches to date, Germany have won 578 (58 per cent), drawn 207 and lost 214.
Werner doubtful
© IMAGO/Matthias Koch/IMAGO/Matthias Koch
Triple header in store
As UEFA EURO 2024 hosts, Germany's place at the tournament is already guaranteed, so they don't have to go through the usual qualifying campaign. This is the first of three friendlies Hansi Flick's side have lined up this month, ahead of games against Poland (16 June) and Colombia (20 June).
The Weserstadion
© Alexander Scheuber/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
Welcome!
Welcome to build-up and live coverage of Germany's friendly match against Ukraine in Bremen on Monday, 12 June.
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