The German soccer players are again in a goal mood in the final qualifying game for the 2023 World Cup.
With a smile on her face, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg applauded after the successful performance of the German soccer players at the end of the previously successful World Cup qualification.
“There is not much to complain about today”, said the national coach after the 8-0 (3-0) thrashing of the DFB selection against Bulgaria. “We finished the campaign in a serious manner and are going home satisfied because no one was injured.”
Three goals from Schüller
Lea Schüller (35th/45th + 1/52nd minute), Laura Freigang (45th/64th/87th), Sydney Lohmann (54th) and Svenja Huth (81st) scored a penalty kick on Tuesday in front of almost empty Ranks in Plovdiv scored the goals for the European Championship runners-up, who, before the autumn classics against France and world champion USA, advertised himself with enthusiasm and goal-scoring. “We showed what we’re capable of. We never stopped and wanted to score until the end”praised Voss-Tecklenburg.
And that despite the fact that Martina Voss-Tecklenburg had rotated vigorously in the meaningless game. The national coach changed her starting XI in eight positions compared to the difficult 3-0 win in Turkey last Saturday, through which the DFB selection had bought their ticket for the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand ahead of time.
Schult back in goal
For the first time in more than three years, long-standing goalkeeper Almuth Schult was between the posts of the German goal. “It’s a special moment for her to be on the pitch and show that it’s possible to come back to competitive sport as a mother.”, said Voss-Tecklenburg before kick-off in the Sportschau interview. The 31-year-old Schult has been the mother of twins since 2020.
“I’m very grateful that my family made it possible,” Schult said after the final whistle. “Probably nobody can understand that who hasn’t fought his way back into competitive sport and had to open many doors.” During her comeback, she remained almost unemployed, because even in a completely different formation, the DFB selection was clearly superior to the field. However, the necessary precision against a destructive opponent was initially lacking on the bumpy lawn.
The first chance after 20 minutes was more of a coincidence. A cross from Jule Brand landed on the crossbar of the Bulgarian goal. After almost half an hour, Schüller was free to finish, but aimed too high at full speed. A little later, the “footballer of the year” broke the spell.
The attacking game went like clockwork. After Linda Dallmann initially only hit the wood, Freigang and again Schüller followed up before the break. It was also the 24-year-old from runners-up Bayern Munich who continued the DFB women’s pursuit of goals after the change. After just over an hour, the three-goal scorer had to come off the field, and captain Alexandra Popp came on for her. Despite the clear lead, the German team didn’t let up in their attacking efforts until the end and rewarded themselves with more goals.