Neuer saved everything – except for a penalty by Harry Kane. He again played the role of the eleventh field player, showed himself calm against pressing actions and brought the passes to the teammates quite safely, even with his weaker left foot. Pickford, on the other hand, played many of his forced long passes into the side, on the head or into the foot of a German.
Many advantages with the Germans
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (left)
The difference between the two goalkeepers was striking. The fact that the better team was in goal for the better team, but they still only managed to draw, raises the question: why did the elite selection of the German Football Association (DFB) only draw 1:1 again?
The comparisons in other parts of the team were also in favor of the Germans. Antonio Rüdiger and Nico Schlotterbeck, who was otherwise rather moderate against England, played sharp and wide passes from central defense to open the ball, while the angular Harry Maguire mostly played across.
The midfield of the four-time world champion was more dynamic and creative. Jamal Musiala, who could have opted for the English national team thanks to dual citizenship, was particularly convincing in the first half.