Mats Hummels as “unlucky”, France as “blue lightning”: After the German national team defeated the world champions 0-1 at the start of the European Championship, the international press found words of praise above all for Les Bleus. In the DFB-Elf “a real tank” is missing.
France
L’Équipe: “The blue lightning struck like 2018. The victory could have been much higher. Like three years ago, France leaves their opponents only crumbs and their eyes to cry. In a normal world, Kylian Mbappé would have received a penalty (78th) and Gosens would not have been on the pitch by then. “
Le Parisien: “‘Les Bleus’ bite right on their first appearance, even if no French have scored. There wasn’t much missing for a goal from Karim Benzema or Kylian Mbappé. The trio they form with Antoine Griezmann indicated their potential, but there are still things to be refined. “
Liberation: “Against Germany, ‘Les Bleus’ will attack the euro with a strong defense. France have confirmed that they are well armed to remain competitive for a long time.”
Le Monde: “Paul Pogba, the starting dancer of the Blues. Whenever the midfielder wears the national jersey, he surpasses himself. France conquered the first summit against Germany. A deserved, promising victory.”
Le Figaro: “With this broad chest and this commitment, the Blues can go far. The question was whether the players are still hungry after winning the title in Russia. They are not hungry, they bar their teeth. Famished, ready to devour everything. It was a nice old-style football evening with a lot of noise and a good atmosphere after months of closed games. “
Ouest France: “The Germans sometimes put France under pressure, but didn’t find a gap. It was tough, but ‘Les Bleus’ made it. Solid and solidary, always true to the formula that made them the kings of the world, they have defended their status. The Germans have been waiting for them after the French emphasized their optimism and ability. They have put words into action and overturned their old rival Germany. A good habit since 2014. “
England
Mirror: “Dream start for the top favorites: An own goal by Mats Hummels is enough for France, which dominated the game for long stretches. Les Bleus have shown from the start that they have what it takes to win this tournament.”
telegraph: “Bitten through: France triumphs after Rüdiger nibbled on Pogba’s back. Germany could have lost a lot more – but Mbappé and Benzema’s goals didn’t count because of offside.”
Daily Mail: “Bite Night: Even Rüdiger’s bite attack on Pogba doesn’t stop the fabulous French. A narrow but impressive win against Germany. Mats Hummel’s own goal makes the difference in the first top game in ‘death group F’.”
The Sun: “A Hummels own goal gives France the ideal start. France celebrates a deserved, but by no means spectacular victory. Germany held up surprisingly well.”
Netherlands
De Telegraaf: “Mats Hummels unlucky fellow of the evening: France-Germany was marked in red in the program of the group games, but the possible final advertisement did not deliver the spectacle that had been hoped for. It was France that dealt an important first blow in the group of deaths . “
AD: “The world champion is not planning to win the beauty award at the European championship either. Germany stormed forward, but France, who always calculated, won.”
Voetbal international: “France deals the first blow to a toothless Germany. Germany did too little to inflict real pain on France.”
Spain
Marca: “French reliability. An own goal by Hummels decides a huge game. After this defeat, Germany faces a complicated constellation in the group of deaths. The first half was a homage to football. Germany couldn’t be blamed.”
AS: “France conquers Munich. Great game in the Allianz Arena. Germany again and again with power play, but was not rewarded for it. In the end the favorite prevailed, but suffering and in the end happy when it was over. Germany showed a lot of fighting spirit and willingness to sacrifice, But they were not rewarded for it. “
El Mundo Deportivo: “A solid France wins the first big fight against Germany. The” team “, which were clearly better in the first half, were lucky after the break that two goals from Benzema and Mbappé were not given.”
Sports: “France beat Germany in style in the first ‘final’. Germany had more of the game, but Les Bleus had better gunpowder.”
El Mundo: “France shows Germany the borders in a monumental game. An own goal by Hummels seals the evening on which the French mostly thwart German attack efforts over long stretches and panic when counterattacks.”
Estadio Deportivo: “1-0 – France still rule. An own goal by Mats Hummels in the 20th minute gave France a 1-0 win over Germany in a game in which both tactically and physically met, but France the better Had chances. “
Italy
Gazzetta dello Sport: “French symphony. France wins with a test of strength in the super duel against Germany. France’s engine is stronger and more refined than that of Germany. The victory is fully deserved. France is the favorite of this European Championship and does not lose itself in its beauty. Small flaws are only in noticeable during the offensive phase. With more determination, France could have ended the game much earlier. “
Corriere dello Sport: “Hummel’s nightmare. Another wall has fallen: Football is no longer that simple game in which 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and in the end Germany always wins. France is the team you have to defeat in this tournament. She wins with irritating ease on the wings of Mbappé and Pogba. “
Tuttosport: “Germany Ko, France rules. Hummels condemns Germany in the fire match against France with a mistake that an amateur, not an experienced player like him, would make. Germany tries to react, but the absence of a real tank sinks Löw’s troop. “
La Repubblica: “France confirms themselves as favorites and wins against Germany with ease. A big match is not always a nice game. The French are responsible for having instilled fear in the Germans in view of their slight superiority.”
Il Messaggero: “France sings in chorus: ‘Thank you Hummels!’ Germany are punished by an own goal from the defender. France are not world champions for nothing, and the team testified that on their European debut. “
Switzerland
Look: “Germans lose a spectacular game against France. France narrowly defeated Germany because of a Hummels own goal. But a dangerous near-accident and a Suarez memory scene cause more discussions than the sporting one.”
The New Zurich Times: “Germany’s national players think they are equal to France despite a defeat – that’s not the case. Joshua Kimmich and Toni Kroos are self-confident after their 1-0 defeat against France. Nevertheless, Germany is threatened with the end of the European Championship against Portugal next Saturday.”
Aargau Newspaper: “Hummel’s unfortunate return with the own goal – Germany is already under pressure after losing to France.
Austria
Kronen newspaper: “Germany shoots France to opening victory.”
default: “France celebrates a close 1-0 win against Germany. The world champions seemed to have room for improvement at the start. A stray Greenpeace activist who endangered himself and his fans did not have any room for improvement.”
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