The meeting between France and Germany was perhaps the most eagerly awaited encounter of Euro 2020. Because of what transpired earlier in the day — Portugal, which beat Hungary 3-0 in the previous game, is also in their group and holds the status of being the national team that won the last Euros — Tuesday’s encounter held significant significance.
The game was expected to be tense and cagey, and the French took the lead early in the first half. The catch: No one in a blue shirt scored, as Mats Hummels emphatically walloped the ball past Manuel Neuer after a spectacular cross from Lucas Hernandez.
Of course, both Hummels and Neuer are Germans, so this was disastrous for Die Mannschaft. For years, Hummels has been as dependable as they come at the heart of Germany’s defense, so it’s a shame he got his feet muddled up and ended up in the top bins here. Nonetheless, Hernandez deserves credit for whipping in a hazardous cross into a dangerous location — Hummels was in no man’s land due to Kylian Mbappe being right there for a tap-in — and Paul Pogba for finding him with a wonderful pass with the outside of his right foot.
