Two-Goal Kroos Calls For Improvement After Germany Book Euro Spot
17th November 2019
Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry and RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner led the Germany attack
- Toni Kroos struck twice as Germany qualified for the Euro 2020 finals on Saturday by thumping Belarus 4-0 but the Real Madrid star insists there is still room for improvement
- A deft back-heeled goal from defender Matthias Ginter and impressive finishing by Leon Goretzka and Kroos gave the Germans a comfortable 3-0 lead early in the second half
- Germany captain Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to keep out Belarus striker Igor Stasevich's penalty before Kroos dribbled through the defence to claim his second goal seven minutes from time
MONCHENGLADBACH, United States- Toni Kroos struck twice as Germany qualified for the Euro 2020 finals on Saturday by thumping Belarus 4-0 but the Real Madrid star insists there is still room for improvement.
A deft back-heeled goal from defender Matthias Ginter and impressive finishing by Leon Goretzka and Kroos gave the Germans a comfortable 3-0 lead early in the second half.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to keep out Belarus striker Igor Stasevich's penalty before Kroos dribbled through the defence to claim his second goal seven minutes from time.
"Until we went 1-0 up, it is always difficult against an opponent like that," said Kroos.
"Overall we did well but at the moment I don't include us among the favourites for the European title.
"The important thing is that we play as a team in the March internationals."
The result left Germany two points above the Netherlands and means victory Tuesday in Frankfurt over Northern Ireland, who drew 0-0 at home to the Dutch, will send them through as Group C winners.
"We have reached our goal," said Germany boss Joachim Loew.
"The team played well, we saw some good combinations out there and four goals.
"Certainly not everything was perfect but all in all, I am happy."
Loew singled out Moenchengladbach defender Ginter after the centre-back showed a sublime touch to score his first goal for Germany at his home stadium.
"He is very reliable and a very good footballer," said Loew. "It's great that he scored such a nice goal here."
In the pre-match build-up, Loew had agreed with Kroos that this fledgling Germany team can not be considered among the favourites for the Euro 2020 title next July.
There seemed to be some truth to that as a poor first-half performance saw Germany struggle to break down the visitors' dogged defence despite 80 percent possession.
Long-term knee injuries in recent months to Bayern Munich defender Niklas Suele and Manchester City winger Leroy Sane have robbed Loew of two key components for his new-look side.
Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry and RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner led the Germany attack.