HAMBURG, Germany: Thomas Müller scored the winning goal as Germany recovered from a goal down to beat Romania 2-1 and continue its winning start under new coach Hansi Flick in World Cup qualifying on Friday.
Romania took the lead with a ninth-minute goal from Ianis Hagi, the first Germany conceded in four games under Flick. Germany bounced back as Serge Gnabry leveled early in the second half before Müller’s winning header in the 81st.
Germany extended its lead at the top of Group J to six points from North Macedonia and Armenia and has won all four games since Flick took charge following a last-16 exit at the European Championship under his predecessor Joachim Löw.
Germany started strongly in front of a crowd of 25,000 in Hamburg and was awarded a penalty early on when Timo Werner and Andrei Burca tangled in the box. After a long wait for video review, with Joshua Kimmich standing over the ball on the penalty spot, the decision was overturned.
Germany still seemed stunned by the turnaround when Hagi, son of Romania great Gheorghe Hagi, knocked the ball between Antonio Rüdiger’s legs and guided the ball just inside the far post.
Germany had plenty of chances to level the score, including a notable miss for Gnabry, before he blasted a low shot in the 52nd past goalkeeper Florin Nita.
A smartly worked corner yielded the winning goal as Leon Goretzka headed the ball on at the near post for Müller to put in at the far post.
North Macedonia moved up from fourth place to second with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. The Balkan nation aims to follow up its first European Championship campaign this year with a first trip to the World Cup.
Another team bidding to reach a first World Cup, Armenia is level on points with North Macedonia after drawing with Iceland 1-1 after Kamo Hovhannisyan’s goal was canceled out for Iceland by Isak Bergmann Johannesson.
Germany beats Romania to continue winning start under Flick
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Germany beats Romania to continue winning start under Flick
- Romania took the lead with a ninth-minute goal from Ianis Hagi, the first Germany conceded in four games under Flick
- Germany bounced back as Serge Gnabry leveled early in the second half before Müller's winning header in the 81st
Toney penalty leads Al-Ahli to victory in final moments of Saudi Pro League’s Matchday 15
- Al-Ahli defeat Al-Taawoun 2-1 thanks to Ivan Toney penalty in the 14th minute of injury time
- Al-Shabab end 11-game run without a win after comeback against NEOM
RIYADH: The battle for second place in the Saudi Pro League heated up on the final day of Matchday 15 when the Al-Inma Stadium played host to a tense encounter between Al-Ahli and Al-Taawoun. The hosts, boasting the best defence in the league, came up against a visiting side brimming with confidence after a stellar start to the season under the returning Péricles Chamusca at the helm.
Getting past Al-Taawoun would be no easy feat. The Qassim-based side came into the game well-prepared, with Al-Ahli failing to break past their compact block. The trio of Andrei Girotto, Waleed Al-Ahmed and Muteb Al-Mufarrij proved tough opposition for Ivan Toney in particular.
All signs pointed to a draw as the half-time whistle approached. Roger Martínez had different ideas in stoppage time, as he fended off Roger Ibañez to win the ball in the right channel, squared the ball to Ângelo Fulgini who was brought down by Merih Demiral for a penalty. Martínez coolly finished past Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, as the Wolves went into the break with the narrow lead.
Al-Ahli, backed by their passionate fans, entered the second half with renewed vigour. With Riyad Mahrez back in SPL action after Algeria’s elimination from AFCON, his creative prowess between the lines gave his side an added impetus.
It would be Wenderson Galeno who played an imperative role in their first goal. In the 62nd minute, he spotted Toney making a run in space behind the full-back, launching a cross that marginally escaped a clearance from Al-Mufarrij, as the Englishman delivered an accurate follow-up to Zakaria Hawsawi to head in the equaliser.
Both sides knew that a draw was not enough. Al-Taawoun would still move into second place with a point, albeit with all of Al-Nassr, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli breathing down their necks.
Al-Ahli, meanwhile, needed a win after Al-Qadsiah’s dominant display earlier in the evening. Despite numerous attempts, the score remained even.
In the 82nd minute, a dangerous challenge on Martínez by Ibañez saw the defender sent off for the second time in three games. After getting a yellow card earlier in the half, the referee showed no hesitation in giving him his marching orders.
Drama ensued in the final moments of the game when Demiral was brought down in the Al-Taawoun box. After a tense wait for the VAR review, referee Mohammed Hoish ultimately decided on a penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage time to the delight of the home fans.
Toney, as per usual, converted with confidence as Al-Ahli saw out a 2-1 victory to move level on points with Al-Taawoun and Al-Nassr in second place.
Elsewhere, Al-Qadsiah produced a perfect performance in their home game against Al-Fayha, winning 5-0, with Julián Quiñones bagging a hat-trick. Brendan Rodgers’ side now sit in fifth place with 30 points, just one behind the trio of Al-Taawoun, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli.
Meanwhile Al-Shabab, enduring one of their worst starts in the top flight to date, managed to win their first game since Matchday 2. Despite going 2-1 down to NEOM, a four-minute brace by Yannick Carrasco propelled them to a 3-2 victory.
Matchday 16 kicks off on Friday, as Al-Ittihad face Al-Ettifaq that evening, Al-Nassr welcome Al-Shabab on Saturday and Al-Hilal travel to NEOM on Sunday for the round’s headlining fixtures.
